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SONGS  OF  EXILE 


onnP  ^aS  onnfefo 


My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord  more  than  watchmen  look  for  the 
morning,  yea,  more  than  watchmen  for  the  morning. — Ps.  czzx,  6. 


rvnat 

SONGS  OF  EXILE 

BY  HEBREW  POETS 

TRANSLATED   BY 

NINA    DAVIS 


PHILADELPHIA 
The  Jewish  Publication  Society  of  America 


Published  for  the 

Jewish  Historical  Society  of  England 
MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  LTD.,  LONDON 
1901 


TO  MY  FATHER 


CONTENTS 


TITLE  AUTHOR                                PACK 

Prelude :  Ode  on  Chazanuth 9 

The  Prophet  Jeremiah  by  the 

Cave  of  Machpelah Elasar  ben  Kalir 12 

The  Prophet  Jeremiah  and  the 

Personification  of  Israel .  .  .  Attributed  to  Elasar  ben  Kalir  .  .  18 

A  Song  of  Redemption  ....  Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol  24 

Morning  Song Solomon  Ibn  Gabirol 29 

A  Song  of  Love Unknown 30 

Ode  to  Zion Jehudah  Halevi 36 

Where  Shall  I  Find  Thee  ?  .  .  Jehudah  Halevi 44 

Song  of  Israel  to  God Jehudah  Halevi 47 

Israel's  Duration Jehudah  Halevi 49 

The  Lord  is  My  Portion  .  .  .  Jehudah  Halevi 50 

Song  of  the  Oppressed  ....  Jehudah  Halevi 51 

Longing Jehudah  Halevi 52 

A  Love  Song Jehudah  Halevi 53 

Wedding  Song Jehudah  Halevi 54 

To  the  Glory  of  Jerusalem  .  .  Jehudah  Halevi 58 

Loved  of  My  Soul  Jehudah  Halevi  or  Israel  Nagara  60 

Song  of  Loneliness Jehudah  Halevi 63 

The  Fast  of  Tebeth Joseph  bar  Samuel  Tob  Elem  .  .  64 

Hymn  of  Weeping Amittai 68 


CONTENTS 


TITLE  AUTHOR  PACK 

Hymn  of  Refuge Isaac  ben   Samuel  and  Solomon 

ben  Samuel 7° 

I  Am  the  Suppliant Baruch  ben  Samuel 72 

The  Burning  of  the  Law   .   .   .  Meir  of  Rothenburg 82 

Dirge  for  the  Ninth  of  Ab  .  .   .  Unknown 92 

Hoshana Unknown 98 

The  Ark  of  the  Covenant  .  .  .  From  the  Talmud 102 

The  Ideal  Minister From  the  Talmud in 

The  Giving  of  the  Law  .   .   .   .  From  Midrash  Rabbah 115 

The  Ages  of  Man Attributed  to  Abraham  Ibn  Ezra  .  118 

The  Song  of  Chess Attributed  to  Abraham  Ibn  Ezra  .  126 

Sketch  of  the  Game  of  Chess  .  Bon  Senior  Abn  Yachia 132 

Poem  on  Chess Unknown 140 

The  Death  of  Moses From  Midrash  Tanchuma  ....  143 


PRELUDE 


©n  Cba3anutb 

A  RISE  and  sing,  thou  deathless  melody- 
Life's  blended  song — 
Bearing  on  wings  of  sound  aloft  with  thee 
A  mortal  throng. 

Lo,  living  yet,  beloved,  lingering  strain, 

My  harp  of  old, 
Voice  of  a  patience  that  hath  borne  the  pain 

Of  years  untold  ! 

Each  olden  chord  awaketh,  every  tone, 

Soaring  at  length, 
Mingling  a  mighty  gladness  with  a  groan 

Of  fallen  strength. 


io  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

f 

Angels  be  gathering  Earth's  ascending  prayer, 

That,  heavenward  bound, 
Shall  deck  the  Throne  with  wreathed  garlands  fair 

Of  wafted  sound. 

Song  of  the  ages,  lo  !  the  fettered  soul 

Shall  break  its  bond, 
And,  wrapt  in  thee,  look  forth  upon  the  whole 

Of  Heaven  beyond. 

Sing  on,  sweet  minstrel,  thine  immortal  song — 

My  harp  for  aye, 
Vision  of  hope  to  men  that  live  and  long 

And  pass  away. 


SOJVGS  OF  EXILE 


THE   PROPHET 

JEREMIAH 

BY  THE 

CAVE  OF   MACHPELAH 

ELASAR  BEN  KALIR'S  birthplace  is  unknown,  and  the 
dates  given  for  his  birth  range  from  800  to  1000  C.  E.  He 
was  the  creator  of  a  new  form  of  Piyutim,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  an  imitative  school  of  Paitanim.  His  style  is 
condensed,  obscure,  and  full  of  allusions  to  Hagadic  pas- 
sages. Of  this  allusive  style,  the  first  line  of  the  seventh 
stanza  in  the  following  poem  (^13  IT  nD)  may  be  taken 
as  an  example.  Tradition  makes  Jacob  linger  for  four- 
teen years,  on  his  way  to  Mesopotamia,  in  the  houses  of 
study  of  Shem  and  Eber.  Other  legends  are  told  of 
Jacob's  love  of  learning.— Kalir's  compositions  number 
over  two  hundred. 

Stanza  i,  line  12,  Leviticus  xxvi,  45. 

Stanza  2,  line  10,  Jeremiah  v,  12. 

Stanza  3,  line    6,  Genesis  xv,  i. 

Stanza  5,  line    6,  Leviticus  xxvi,  42. 

Stanza  6,  line  11,  2  Chronicles  xxiv,  20. 

Stanza  7,  line  i,  Jacob.  See  Bereshith  Rabbah,6y.  6 
and  68 :  5  ;  and  Talmud  Babli,  Mcgillah  i6b  and  17*; 
line  12,  Jeremiah  li,  5. 


JEREMIAH  B  Y  MA CHPELAH  13 


propbet  Seremiab  l>s  tbe  Cave  ot 
flilacbpelab 

BY  KALIR 


"THE  Prophet  standing  by  the  fathers'  graves, 
With  soul  o'erwhelmed  speaks,  for  solace 

craves  : 

"  How  can  ye  lie  at  rest,  beloved  ones, 
While  sharpened  swords  consume  your  captive 

sons  ? 

Where  now,  O  fathers,  lurks  your  merit  rare 
In  that  vast  wilderness  of  land  laid  bare  ? 
They  cry  each  one  with  lamentation  sore 
For  children  banished,  sons  that  are  no  more  ; 
They  pray  imploring  with  a  cry  for  grace 
To  Him  who  dwelleth  in  the  realms  of  space  ; 
Ah  !  where  is  now  God's  promise  made  of  old  : 
'  I  will  not  my  first  covenant  withhold  '  ?  " 


14  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Changed  is  My  glory, 
From  them  departed ; 
They  have  not  feared  Me  ; 
Dread  have  they  known  not ; 
From  them  I  hid  Me, 
And  still  they  turned  not, 
Nor  to  Me  yearned  they ; 
Shall  I  restrain  Me, 
Hearing  them  utter : 
"  Our  God  He  is  not "  ? 

Then  Father  Abraham  with  bitter  cry 
Implored,  a  suppliant  lowly,  God  on  high  : 
"  Ten  times  in  vain  for  them  great  trials  I  bore, 
For  woe  !  mine  eyes  have  seen  destruction  sore ; 
Ah  !  where  is  now  Thy  promise  made  of  old  : 
'Abram,  thou  shalt  not  fear,  thy  shield  behold '  ? " 

Far  have  they  wandered, 
Erred  after  strange  gods, 


JEREMIAH  B  Y  MACHPELAH  15 

And  they  have  hewn  them 
Cisterns  which  hold  not ; 
Shall  I  restrain  Me, 
When  they  regard  not 
My  sacred  mandates  ? 

And  thus  did  Isaac  all  his  sorrow  tell 
Unto  the  Lord  who  high  in  Heav'n  doth  dwell : 
"  Wherefore  was  I  appointed  to  be  slain  ? 
My  seed  is  crushed  and  low  in  bondage  lain ; 
Ah  !  where  is  now  Thy  promise  made  of  old  : 
'  My  covenant  with  Isaac  I  will  hold '  ? " 

Unto  My  prophet 
Sorely  rebellious, 
They  have  polluted 
My  holy  mountain : 
Lo,  I  am  weary 
With  ever  hearing 
Their  cry  which  riseth 


16  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

From  the  earth  upwards  ; 
Shall  I  restrain  Me, 
Seeing  the  slaughter 
Of  Zechariah  ? 

And  then  spake  he  with  learning  deep  endowed, 
His  form  with  shame  and  bitter  sorrow  bowed  : 
"My  little  ones  I  reared  with  holy  care, 
How  are  they  caught  within  the  fatal  snare  ! 
Ah  !  dearly  have  I  paid  a  thousandfold 
My  erring  children's  debt  of  guilt  untold." 
Thus  spake  the  faithful  shepherd  in  his  woe, 
Covered  with  ashes  and  in  dust  laid  low : 
"  My  tender  sheep  in  genial  shelter  reared, 
Lo  !  how  are  they  before  their  season  sheared  ! 
Ah  !  where  is  now  Thy  promise  made  of  old  : 
'There  shall  not  be  one  widowed  in  the  fold  '  ?  " 
With  grievous  voices  all  the  air  is  rent ; 
With  sobs  doth  Leah  to  her  despair  give  vent, 
And  Rachel  weeping  for  her  children  dead, 


JEREMIA H  BY  MA CHPELAH  17 

Zilpah  with  face  of  anguish,  heart  of  dread, 
And  Bilhah  grieving  for  the  evil  day, 
Her  hands  to  God  uplifted  in  dismay. 

Turn,  O  ye  perfect  ones, 

Unto  your  rest  again  ; 

I  will  fulfil  for  you 

All  that  your  hearts  desire : 

Down  unto  Babylon 

With  you  My  Presence  went ; 

Surely  will  I  return 

Your  sons'  captivity. 


i8  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


THE   PROPHET 

JEREMIAH 

AND  THE 

PERSONIFICATION   OK   ISRAEL 


THIS  POEM  is  attributed  to  ELASAR  BEN  KALIR. 

Stanza  i,  line  i,  "  Tirzah,"  Song  of  Songs  vi,  4  ;  line  5, 
"  Hilkiah's  son,"  Jeremiah. 

Stanza  2,  line  2,  Isaiah  xxx,  15;  line  8,  Isaiah  xix,  24; 
line  9,  Psalm  cxxii,  4 ;  line  10,  the  six  hundred  thousand 
redeemed  from  Egypt. 

Stanza  3,  line    5,  Jeremiah  xxxi,  21. 

Stanza  4,  line  12,  Lamentations  i,  i. 


JEREMIAH  AND  ISRAEL  19 


TTbe  propbet  ^eremiab  ano  tbe  person* 
ification  of  Hsrael 

CULL  in  her  glory,  she  as  Tirzah  fair 

Hath  sinned  and  fallen ;  lo !  the  angels  weep 
There  at  the  threshold  of  her  sanctuary. 
Forth  from  the  Temple,  over  Zion's  mount 
Wandered  Hilkiah's  son,  and  chanced  to  meet 
A  woman,  beauteous,  but  with  grief  distraught. 
"Appalled  I  ask,  in  name  of  God  and  man  ! 
Art   thou   dread   phantom  ?     Art   thou   human 

form  ? 

For  while  thy  beauty  mouldeth  woman  fair, 
Awe  shadoweth  spirit  from  the  vast  unknown ! " 

"  I  am  no  phantom  nor  vile  clay  of  earth ; 
I  shall  be  known  when  I  return  in  rest. 
Lo  !  of  the  one  am  I !  of  three  am  I ! 
Lo  !  of  six  hundred  thousand,  and  of  twelve ! 


SOWGS  OF  EXILE 


Yea,  and  behold  me  of  the  seventy-one  ! 
O  Prophet !  know  :  the  '  one '  is  Abraham  ; 
'  Three '  be  the  fathers  ;  verily  in  me 
Behold  the  third,  God's  messenger  of  peace  ; 
The  '  twelve '  I  show  thee  be  the  tribes  of  God, 
Six  hundred  thousand  of  redeemed  men  ; 
And  their  Sanhedrin  wrought  of  seventy-one." 

"  List  to  my  counsel :   O  return  !  repent ! 
Since  thou  art  thus  endowed,  so  proud  in  state, 
'Tis  fitting  that  thou  shouldst  exultant  rise, 
To  glory  in  the  good  awaiting  thee  ; 
'BACKSLIDING  DAUGHTER!'  cast  that  brand  of 
shame ! " 

"  Can  I  rejoice,  or  lift  my  voice  in  song  ? 
Behold  my  children  given  to  the  foe ! 
My  prophets  martyred,  yea,  their  life-blood  spilt ! 
My  kings,  my  princes,  and  my  holy  priests 
Borne  into  distant  exile,  fetter-bound. 


JEREMIAH  AND  ISRAEL 


Far  from  mine  House  the  Sacred  Presence  fled, 
Shunning  the  place  of  mine  iniquity  ; 
Yea,  thence  did  my  Beloved  flee  away, 
And  left  the  beauty  of  my  tent  to  wane 
And  set  in  darkness  nevermore  to  rise. 
How  doth  the  city,  once  with  heroes  thronged, 
Great  'mid  the  nations,  now  sit  solitary ! " 
Pausing,  she  glided  to  the  Prophet's  side, 
And  with  imploring  utterance  whispering  spake : 
"  Plead  to  thy  God  for  this  my  bitter  wound  ; 
Beseech  Him  for  the  tempest- stricken  soul ; 
Until  He  softened  say  :  '  It  is  enough  ! ' 
And  save  my  sons  from  exile  and  the  sword." 

With   suppliant's   plea   he    prayed    before    his 

Lord: 

"  O  God  of  mercy  !  let  compassion  flow, 
E'en  as  a  father  pitieth  his  son  ; " 
And   cried :    "  Doth   not   a  father   mourn    his 

child 


SONGS  OF  EXILE 


Carried  away  to  harsh  captivity  ? 

And  woe  unto  the  son  in  exile  chained, 

When  at  his  father's  board  his  place  is  void ! " 

"  Prophet !  arise,  depart !  "  the  vision  bade  : 
"  Call  now  the  sleeping  fathers  from  their  rest ; 
And  Moses,  yea,  and  Aaron  shall  arise ; 
O  let  the  shepherds  peal  to  Heaven  a  wail, 
For  lo !    the   wolves   of    night   have   torn  the 
lamb ! " 

The    Prophet's    voice    with    mighty    yearning 

swelled, 
And    shook   with    heaving    sobs    Machpelah's 

cave : 

"  O  glorious  sires  !  lift  up  your  voice  and  weep  : 
Your  sons  have  erred ;   behold  them  captives 

bound  ! 
If  they,  weak  mortals,  have  transgressed  the 

bond, 


JEREMIAH  AND  ISRAEL  23 

Where,  fathers  !  doth  your  merit  slumber  now, 
That  sanctified  of  old  the  covenant  ? " 

"What  crave  ye,  sons,  from  Me?     The  doom  is 

fixed. 

This  is  My  judgment ;  this  is  My  decree. 
The  shrine  is  desolate,  bereft  of  men ; 
None  cometh  in  upon  the  solemn  day ; 
Behold,  the  steps  of  My  beloved  fail." — 

"  But  Thou  wilt  yet  restore  them  as  of  old, 

O  Thou  Sustainer  !  Thou  that  givest  strength ! 

And  pity  Zion ;  for  the  time  is  come." 


24  SOJVGS  Of  EXILE 


A  SONG 

OF 

REDEMPTION 


SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL,  grammarian,  philosopher, 
and  poet,  was  born  in  Spain,  in  1021  C.E.  His  classical 
style  of  verse  replaced  the  language  of  the  early  Pai- 
tantm,  and  brought  the  sacred  poetry  of  the  Spanish- 
Arabian  Jews  towards  its  perfection.  This  SONG  OF 
REDEMPTION  (H^tU)  is  a  Sabbath  morning  hymn  recited 
between  Passover  and  Pentecost. 

Stanza  i,  line  6,  "  remnant  tenth,"  Isaiah  vi,  13 ;  "  shall 
cause  man's  strife  to  cease,"  Isaiah  xix,  24. 

Stanza  2,  line    i,  Lamentations  v,  20. 

Stanza  3,  line    8,  Song  of  Songs  ii,  12. 

Stanza  4,  lines  7,  8,  alludes  to  the  persecutions  suffered 
by  the  Jews  under  both  the  Crescent  and  the  Cross. 

Stanza  7,  line  2,  "Ariel,"  Isaiah  xxix,  1,2;  line  4,  Dan- 
iel xii ;  line  8,  Isaiah,  lix,  20 ;  line  12,  Psalm  xc,  15. 


A  SONG  OF  REDEMPTION  25 


H  Sons  of  TRefcemption 

BY  SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL 

CAPTIVE  of  sorrow  on  a  foreign  shore, 

A  handmaid  as  'neath  Egypt's  slavery : 
Through  the  dark  day  of  her  bereavement  sore 

She  looketh  unto  Thee. 
Restore  her  sons,  O  Mighty  One  of  old ! 
Her  remnant  tenth  shall  cause  man's  strife  to 

cease. 

O  speed  the  message  ;  swiftly  be  she  told 
Good  tidings,  which  Elijah  shall  unfold : 
Daughter  of  Zion,  sing  aloud  !  behold 
Thy  Prince  of  Peace  ! 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye  ? 

Mercy  we  crave ! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save ! 


26  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Surely  a  limit  boundeth  every  woe, 

But  mine  enduring  anguish  hath  no  end  ; 
My  grievous  years  are  spent  in  ceaseless  flow, 

My  wound  hath  no  amend. 
O'erwhelmed,  my  helm  doth  fail,  no  hand  is 

strong 

To  steer  the  bark  to  port,  her  longed-for  aim. 

How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  Thou  my  doom  prolong  ? 

When  shall  be  heard  the  dove's  sweet  voice 

of  song  ? 

O  leave  us  not  to  perish  for  our  wrong, 
Who  bear  Thy  Name ! 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye  ? 

Mercy  we  crave ! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save  ! 

Wounded  and  crushed,  beneath  my  load  I  sigh, 
Despised  and  abject,  outcast,  trampled  low; 


A  SONG  Of  REDEMPTION  27 

How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  I  of  violence  cry, 

My  heart  dissolve  with  woe  ? 
How  many  years,  without  a  gleam  of  light, 
Has    thraldom    been    our    lot,    our    portion 

pain! 
With  Ishmael  as  a  lion  in  his  might, 

And  Persia  as  an  owl  of  darksome  night, 
Beset  on  either  side,  behold  our  plight 
Betwixt  the  twain. 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye  ? 

Mercy  we  crave  ! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save  ! 

Is  this  thy  voice  ? 
The  voice  of  captive  Ariel's  woe  unhealed  ? 

Virgin  of  Israel,  arise,  rejoice  ! 
In  Daniel's  vision,  lo,  the  end  is  sealed  : 
When  Michael  on  the  height 


a8  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

Shall  stand  aloft  in  strength, 
And  shout  aloud  in  might, 
And  a  Redeemer  come  to  Zion  at  length. 
Amen,  amen,  behold 
The  Lord's  decree  foretold. 
E'en  as  Thou  hast  our  souls  afflicted  sore, 
So  wilt  Thou  make  us  glad  for  evermore ! 

Wherefore  wilt  Thou  forget  us,  Lord,  for  aye  ? 

Mercy  we  crave ! 
O  Lord,  we  hope  in  Thee  alway, 

Our  King  will  save  1 


MORNING  SONG  29 


Song 

BY  SOLOMON  IBN  GABIROL 
A  T  the  dawn  I  seek  Thee, 

Refuge  and  rock  sublime,  — 
Set  my  prayer  before  Thee  in  the  morning, 

And  my  prayer  at  eventime. 
I  before  Thy  greatness 

Stand,  and  am  afraid  :  — 
All  my  secret  thoughts  Thine  eye  beholdeth 

Deep  within  my  bosom  laid. 
And  withal  what  is  it 

Heart  and  tongue  can  do  ? 
What  is  this  my  strength,  and  what  is  even 

This  the  spirit  in  me  too  ? 
But  verily  man's  singing 

May  seem  good  to  Thee; 
So  will   I   thank  Thee,   praising,  while  there 

dwelleth 
Yet  the  breath  of  God  in  me. 


30  SOJVGS  OF  EXILE 


A  SONG 

OF 

LOVE 


THE  AUTHOR  of  A  SONG  OF  LOVE  is  unknown.  It  is 
a  Sabbath  morning  hymn  recited  between  Passover  and 
Pentecost.  It  takes  the  not  unusual  form  of  a  dialogue 
between  God  and  Israel. 

Stanza  i,  line  9,  Ruth  iii,  13. 

Stanza  2,  line  9,  Jeremiah  xxxii,  8. 

Stanza  4,  line  9,  Genesis  xli,  13. 

Stanza  5,  line  3,  "  Tried  in  the  furnace  blaze  of  dire  af- 
fliction," Isaiah  xlviii,  10;  line  8,  Genesis  xxix,  19. 

Stanza  6,  line  9,  Genesis  xxix,  2. 

Stanza  7,  line  9,  Ruth  iii,  10. 

Stanza  9,  line  4,  Psalm  Ixviii,  30. 


A  SONG  OF  LOVE  31 


H  Sono  of  xove 

/VA  Y  noble  love ! 

O  dove  of  wondrous  grace ! 
What  aileth  thee  that  thou  dost  weep  in  woe  ? 
Messiah  cometh  unto  thee  :  then  go, 

Fly  to  thy  resting-place. 
I  am  thy  Saviour  Who  will  ransom  thee, 

Thy  hope  from  ancient  day  ; 

Know  that  in  truth  I  say  : 
I,  thy  Redeemer,  I  will  set  thee  free, 
My  noble  love ! 

My  Mighty  Love ! 

Where  is  Thy  troth  of  yore, 
The  vision  of  the  seers  in  ages  gone, 
Proclaiming  to  the  lone,  the  outcast  one, 

Whose  glory  is  no  more, 
That  she  shall  yet  be  sought,  again  shall  shine 


32  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

A  very  great  delight  ? 
Thine  is  redemption's  right, 
Yea,  and  the  power  of  sole  possession  Thine, 
My  Mighty  Love ! 

My  noble  love ! 

I  found  delight  in  thee, 
O  fair  one  !  when  I  saw  thee  in  thy  youth, 
And,  passing  o'er  thee,  with  My  bond  of  truth 

Betrothed  thee  unto  Me. 
Yet  will  I  gather  thee  to  Mine  abode, 

The  dwelling  of  My  rest, 

My  habitation  blest, 

Which  I  have  builded  and  on  thee  bestowed, 
My  noble  love ! 

My  Mighty  Love  ! 

The  faithful  envoy  haste. 

Thy  knowledge  he  shall  spread,  and  strength 
instil 


A  SONG  OF  LOVE  33 

To  keep  the  word  that  bade  me  do  Thy  will, 

And  said  to  me :  "Be  chaste," 
And  did  ordain  :  "  If  thou  wilt  not  obey, 

To  exile  thou  shalt  go." 

Yea,  and  'tis  come — the  woe ; 
That  doom  foretold  hath  come  to  pass  this  day, 
My  Mighty  Love ! 

My  noble  love ! 

Tried  in  the  furnace  blaze 
Of  dire  affliction  ;  thou  with  shackled  feet 
Shalt  yet  adorn  thy  form  with  joy  complete, 

Gird  on  thy  song  of  praise. 
The  crown  of  beauty, — diadem  divine, — 

It  seemeth  good  to  Me 

To  give  it  unto  thee, 
That  sanctified  perfection  may  be  thine, 
My  noble  love ! 


34  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

My  Mighty  Love ! 

Naught  of  my  fame  is  left, 
Though  erst  I  dwelt  in  regal  robes  of  grace ; 
My  sons  lie  slain,  the  scions  of  my  race, 

Of  kin  I  stand  bereft. 
Behold  me  wrapt  in  darkness  deep  and  fell, 

Sunk  in  the  loathsome  pit, 

By  ray  of  light  unlit ; 
The  great  stone  lieth  heavy  o'er  the  well, 
My  Mighty  Love ! 

My  noble  love ! 

My  friend,  come  forth  to  Me  ; 
Yea,  from  the  grasp  of  foes  be  thou  relieved, 
From  them  who  full  of  guile  have  thee  deceived, 

That  speak  false  words  to  thee ; 
Because  thou  wilt  not  strangers'  paths  pursue, 

And  hast  not  gone  astray 

Along  their  erring  way, 

Nor  seekest  thou  new  loves,  but  still  art  true, 
My  noble  love ! 


A  SONG  OF  LOVE  35 

My  Mighty  Love !. 

Stern  bondage  holdeth  me, 
And  grievous  woe ;  though  vainly  evermore 
The  foe  allureth  and  doth  press  me  sore, 

With  keen  words,  ceaselessly, 
To  turn  aside  from  Thee,  the  fount  of  bliss, 

Yea,  to  forsake  Thy  Name, 

Transgressing  to  my  shame 
The  word  revealed.    My  God !  have  I  done  this  ? 
My  Mighty  Love ! 

My  noble  love ! 

I  by  Myself  have  sworn 
To  summon  thee,  My  servant,  unto  Me ; 
And  shall  not  kings  bring  presents  unto  thee, 

Thy  glory  to  adorn  ? 
A  witness  have  I  made  My  holy  one, 

For  nations  to  behold, 

For  peoples  manifold, 
For  lo  !  of  Jesse  have  I  seen  a  son, 
My  noble  love ! 


36  SOWGS  OF  EXILE 


ODE 

TO  ZION 


JEHUDAH  HALEVI  was  born  in  Castile,  in  1086  C.  E. 
He  was  a  physician  and  a  philosopher,  and  the  greatest 
Hebrew  poet  since  Biblical  times.  Leopold  Zunz  says  of 
him:  "Er  sang  fiir  alle  Zeiten  und  Gelegenheiten,  und 
wurde  bald  der  Liebling  seines  Volkes"  For  the  syna- 
gogue he  wrote  more  than  three  hundred  poems.  Impelled 
by  his  longing  for  Zion  he  left  Spain,  and  journeyed  to 
Jerusalem,  where  he  died  in  1140.  It  is  related  that  he 
was  slain  by  the  hand  of  an  Arab  assassin,  when  he 
had  reached  the  Holy  City,  and  was  singing  his  great 
ODE  TO  ZION. 

Stanza  29,  lines  2,  3,  "  purity  and  light,"  Thummim  and 
Urim. 


ODE  TO  ZION  37 


©oe  to  Zion 

(Words  of  Love  and  Honor  to  the  Holy  Land,  and  of  strong  Longing 
to  see  her  and  to  abide  in  her.) 

BY  JEHUDAH   HALEVI 

,  wilt  thou  not  ask  if  peace's  wing 
Shadows  the  captives  that  ensue  thy  peace, 
Left  lonely  from  thine  ancient  shepherding  ? 

Lo!    west   and  east   and    north    and    south — 

world-wide — 

All  those  from  far  and  near,  without  surcease, 
Salute  thee  :   Peace  and  Peace  from  every  side ; 

And  Peace  from  him  that  in  captivity 

Longeth,    and    giveth    tears   like    Hermon's 

dew, 
Yearning  to  shed  them  on  the  hills  of  thee. 


38  SOWGS  OF  EXILE 

To  weep  thy  woe  my  cry  is  waxen  strong : — 
But  dreaming  of  thine  own  restored  anew 
I  am  a  harp  to  sound  for  thee  thy  song. 

My  heart  to  Bethel  sorely  yearneth  yet, 
Peniel  and  Mahanaim  ;  yea,  where'er 
In  holy  concourse  all  thy  pure  ones  met. 

There  the  Shechinah  dwelt  in  thee ;  and  He, 

God  thy  Creator,  lo,  He  opened  there 
Toward  the  gates  of  Heaven  the  gates  of  thee. 

And  only  glory  from  the  Lord  was  thine 

For  light ;  and  moon  and  stars  and  sunshine 

waned, 
Nor  gave  more  light  unto  thy  light  divine. 

O  I  would  choose  but  for  my  soul  to  pour 

Itself  where  then  the  Spirit  of  God  remained, 
Outpoured  upon  thy  chosen  ones  of  yore. 


ODE  TO  ZION  39 


Thou  art  the  royal  house ;  thou  art  the  throne 
Of  God ;  and  how  come  slaves  to  sit  at  last 
Upon  the  thrones  which  were  thy  lords'  alone  ? 

Would  I  were  wandering  in  the  places  where 
God's  glory  was  revealed  in  that  time  past, 
Revealed  in  thee  to  messenger  and  seer. 

And  who  will  make  me  wings  that  I  may  fly, 

That  I  may  hasten  thither  far  away 
Where  mine  heart's  ruins  'mid  thy  ruins  lie? 

Prostrate  upon  thine  earth,  I  fain  would  thrust 

Myself,  delighting  in  thy  stones,  and  lay 
Exceeding  tender  hold  upon  thy  dust. 

Yea,  standing  by  the  burial-places  there 

Of    mine   own    fathers,    I   would    wondering 

gaze, 
In  Hebron,  at  each  chosen  sepulchre ; 


40  SO1VGS  OF  EXILE 

And  pass  into  thy  forest,  and  incline 

To  Carmel,  and  would  stand  in  Gilead's  ways, 
And  marvel  at  the  Mount  Abarim  thine ; 

Thy  Mount  Abarim  and  thy  Mountain  Hor, 

There  where  the  two  great  luminaries  sleep, 
Which  were  thy  teacher  and  thy  light  before. 

The  life  of  souls  thine  air  is ;  yea,  and  thou 
Hast  purest  myrrh  for  grains  of  dust ;    and 

deep 
With  honey  from  the  comb  thy  rivers  flow. 

Sweet  to  my  soul  'twould  be  to  wander  bare 

And  go  unshod  in  places  waxen  waste — 
Desolate  since  thine  oracles  were  there ; 

Where  thine  Ark  rested,  hidden  in  thine  heart, 
And  where,  within,  thy  Cherubim  were  placed, 
Which  in  thine  innermost  chambers  dwelt  apart. 


ODE  TO  ZION  41 


I  will  cut  off  and  cast  away  my  crown 

Of  locks,  and  curse  the  season  which  profaned 
In  unclean  land  the  Nazarites,  thine  own. 

How  shall  it  any  more  be  sweet  to  me 

To  eat  or  drink,  while  dogs  all  unrestrained 
Thy  tender  whelps  devouring  I  must  see  ? 

Or  how  shall  light  of  day  at  all  be  sweet 

Unto  mine  eyes,  while  still  I  see  them  killed — 
Thine  eagles  —  caught   in   ravens'  mouths   for 
meat  ? 

O  cup  of  sorrow !  gently !  let  thy  stress 
Desist  a  little !  for  my  reins  are  filled 
Already,  and  my  soul,  with  bitterness. 

I,  calling  back  Aholah's  memory, 

Drink  thine  hot  poison ;  and  remembering 
Aholibah,  I  drain  the  dregs  of  thee. 


42  SOJVGS  Of  EXILE 

Zion  !     O  perfect  in  thy  beauty  !  found 

With  love  bound  up,  with  grace  encompassing, 
With  thy  soul  thy  companions'  souls  are  bound  : 

They  that  rejoice  at  thy  tranquillity, 

And  mourn  the  wasteness  of  thine  overthrow, 
And  weep  at  thy  destruction  bitterly ; 

They  from  the  captive's  pit,  each  one  that  waits 

Panting  towards  thee ;  all  they  bending  low 
Each  one  from  his  own  place,  towards  thy  gates ; 

The  flocks  of  all  thy  multitudes  of  old 

That,  sent  from  mount  to  hill  in  scattered 

flight, 
Have  yet  forgotten  nevermore  thy  fold  ; 

That  take  fast  clinging  hold  upon  thy  skirt, 
Striving  to  grasp  the  palm-boughs  on  thine 

height, 
To  come  to  thee  at  last  with  strength  begirt. 


ODE  TO  ZION  43 


Shinar  and  Pathros — nay,  can  these  compare 
With  thee  in  state  ?    And  can  thy  purity, 
And  can  thy  light  be  like  the  vain  things  there  ? 

And  thine  anointed — who  among  their  throng 
Compareth  ?     Likened  unto  whom  shall  be 
Levites  and  seers  and  singers  of  thy  song? 

Lo !  it  shall  pass,  shall  change,  the  heritage 

Of  vain-crowned  kingdoms ;  not  all  time  subdues 
Thy  strength;  thy  crown  endures  from  age  to  age. 

Thy  God  desired  thee  for  a  dwelling-place  ; 

And  happy  is  the  man  whom  He  shall  choose, 
And  draw  him  nigh  to  rest  within  thy  space. 

Happy  is  he  that  waiteth ; — he  shall  go 

To  thee,  and  thine  arising  radiance  see 
When  over  him  shall  break  thy  morning  glow ; 

And  see  rest  for  thy  chosen  ;  and  sublime 

Rejoicing  find  amid  the  joy  of  thee 
Returned  unto  thine  olden  youthful  time. 


44  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

TObere  Sball  1F  fffnfc  Ubee? 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

C\  LORD,  where  shall  I  find  Thee  ? 

All-hidden  and  exalted  is  Thy  place ; 
And  where  shall  I  not  find  Thee  ? 
Full  of  Thy  glory  is  the  infinite  space. 

Found  near-abiding  ever, 
He  made  the  earth's  ends,  set  their  utmost  bar; 

Unto  the  nigh  a  refuge, 
Yea,  and  a  trust  to  them  who  wait  afar. 
Thou  sittest  throned  between  the  Cherubim, 
Thou  dwellest  high  above  the  cloud  rack  dim. 
Praised  by  Thine  hosts  and  yet   beyond  their 

praises 
Forever  far  exalt ; 


WHERE  SHALL  I  FIND  THEE  45 

The   endless  whirl  of  worlds  may  not  contain 

Thee, 
How,  then,  one  heaven's  vault  ? 

And  Thou,  withal  uplifted 
O'er  man,  upon  a  mighty  throne  apart, 

Art  yet  forever  near  him, 
Breath  of  his  spirit,  life-blood  of  his  heart. 
His  own  mouth  speaketh  testimony  true 
That  Thou  his  Maker  art  alone ;  for  who 
Shall  say  he  hath  not  seen  Thee  ?     Lo !    the 

heavens 

And  all  their  host  aflame 

With  glory  show  Thy  fear  in  speech  unuttered, 
With  silent  voice  proclaim. 

Longing  I  sought  Thy  presence, 
Lord,  with  my  whole  heart  did  I  call  and  pray, 

And  going  out  toward  Thee, 
I  found  Thee  coming  to  me  on  the  way ; 


46  SO NG S  OF  EXILE 

Yea,  in  Thy  wonders'  might  as  clear  to  see 
As  when  within  the  shrine  I  looked  for  Thee. 
Who   shall   not  fear  Thee  ?     Lo !   upon  their 

shoulders 

Thy  yoke  divinely  dread  ! 
Who  shall  forbear  to  cry  to  Thee,  That  givest 
To  all  their  daily  bread  ? 

And  can  the  Lord  God  truly — 
God,  the  Most  High — dwell  here  within  man's 

breast  ? 

What  shall  he  answer,  pondering — 
Man,  whose  foundations  in  the  dust  do  rest  ? 
For  Thou  art  holy,  dwelling  'mid  the  praise 
Of  them  that  waft  Thee  worship  all  their  days. 
Angels  adoring,  singing  of  Thy  wonder, 

Stand  upon  Heaven's  height ; 
And  Thou,  enthroned  o'erhead,  all  things  up- 

holdest 
With  everlasting  might. 


SONG  OF  ISRAEL  TO  GOD  47 


JVA  Y  Love !  hast  Thou  forgotten 
*    *          Thy  rest 

Upon  my  breast  ? 
And  wherefore  hast  Thou  sold  me 
To  be  enslaved  for  aye  ? 
Have  I  not  followed  Thee  upon  the  way 
Of  olden  time  within  a  land  not  sown  ? 
Lo !  Seir  and  Mount  Paran — nor  these  alone- 
Sinai  and  Sin — yea  these 
Be  all  my  witnesses. 
For  Thee  my  love  was  ever, 
And  mine 
Thy  grace  divine ; 
And  how  hast  Thou  apportioned 
My  glory  away  from  me  ? 


48  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Thrust  unto  Seir,  pursued,  sent  forth  to  flee 

Until  Kedar,  nor  suffered  to  abide ; 

Within  the  Grecian  fiery  furnace  tried  ; 
Afflicted,  weighed  with  care, 
With  Media's  yoke  to  bear ; — 

And  is  there  any  to  redeem  but  Thee  ? 

Or  other  captive  with  such  hope  above  ? 

Thy  strength,  O  Lord  !   grant  of  Thy  strength 

to  me ! 
For  I  give  Thee  my  love. 


ISRAEL'S  D URA  TION  49 

Israel's  Duration 

Bv  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

T    O !  sun  and  moon,  these  minister  for  aye ; 

The  laws  of  day  and  night  cease  nevermore: 
Given  for  signs  to  Jacob's  seed  that  they 

Shall  ever  be  a  nation — till  these  be  o'er. 
If  with  His  left  hand  He  should  thrust  away, 
Lo !  with  His  right  hand  He  shall  draw  them 

nigh. 

Let  them  not  cry  :  'Tis  desperate ;  nor  say  : 
Hope  faileth,  yea,  and  strength   is   near  to 

die  : — 

Let  them  believe  that  they  shall  be  alway, 
Nor  cease  until  there  be  no  night  nor  day. 


BO  SONGS  Of  EXILE 


Xorfc  is  mis  IPortion 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 


CERVANTS  of  time,  lo  !  these  be  slaves  of 
slaves  ; 

But  the  Lord's  servant  hath  his  freedom  whole. 
Therefore,  when  every  man  his  portion  craves, 

"The  Lord  God  is  my  portion,"  saith  my  soul. 


SONG  OF  THE  OPPRESSED  51 

Song  of  tbe  ©ppresseo 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

,  with  my  whole  heart,  and  with  all  my 
might, 

Lord,  I  have  loved  Thee  !   Openly,  apart, 
Thy  Name  is  with  me ;  shall  I  go  alone  ? 
He  is  my  love  ;  shall  I  dwell  solitary  ? 
He  is  my  lamp ;  how  shall  my  light  be  quenched  ? 

How  shall  I  halt,  and  He  a  staff  for  me  ? 
Men  have  despised  me,  knowing  not  that  shame 

For  Thy  Name's  glory  is  my  glorious  pride. 
Fount  of  my  life  !    I  bless  Thee  while  I  live, 
And  sing  my  song  to  Thee  while  being  is 
mine ! 


52  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


Xonging 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

'"TO  meet  the  fountain  of  true  life  I  run  ; 

Lo  !  I  am  weary  of  vain  and  empty  life  ! 
To  see  my  King's  face  is  mine  only  strife ; 
Beside  Him  have  I  fear  or  dread  of  none. 

0  that  a  dream  might  hold  Him  in  its  bond  ! 

1  would  not  wake ;  nay,  sleep  should  ne'er  depart. 
Would  I  might  see  His  face  within  my  heart ! 

Mine  eyes  would  never  yearn  to  look  beyond. 


A  LOVE  SONG  53 


H  Xox>e  Song 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

T    ET  my  sweet  song  be  pleasing  unto  Thee- 

The  incense  of  my  praise — 
O  my  Beloved  that  art  flown  from  me, 

Far  from  mine  errant  ways  ! 
(But  I  have  held  the  garment  of  His  love, 
Seeing  the  wonder  and  the  might  thereof.) 
The  glory  of  Thy  Name  is  my  full  store — 
Enough  for  all  the  pain  wherein  I  strove  : 
Increase  my  sorrow : — I  will  love  Thee  more  ! 
Marvellous  is  Thy  love  ! 


54  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


WEDDING 
SONG 


STANZA  i,  line  i,  Ecclesiastes  xi,  9;  line  3,  Proverbs  v, 
1 8. 

Stanza  3,  line  i,  Psalm  xlv,  5. 

Stanza  4,  line  i,  Ecclesiastes  xii,  i;  line 4,  Deuteronomy 
xxxiii,  25  ;  lines  5  and  6,  Deuteronomy  xxviii,  6. 

Stanza  5,  line  6,  Job  v,  24. 

Stanza  6,  line  4,  Isaiah  Iviii,  8  ;  line  6,  Psalm  ex,  3. 


WEDDING  SONG  55 


Song 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

D  EJOICE,  O  young  man,  in  thy  youth, 

And  gather  the  fruit  thy  joy  shall  bear, 
Thou  and  the  wife  of  thy  youth, 
Turning  now  to  thy  dwelling  to  enter  there. 

Glorious  blessings  of  God,  who  is  One, 

Shall  come  united  upon  thine  head  ; 

Thine  house  shall  be  at  peace  from  dread, 
Thy  foes'  uprising  be  undone. 

Thou  shalt  lay  thee  down  in  a  safe  retreat  ; 

Thou  shalt  rest,  and  thy  sleep  be  sweet. 

In  thine  honor,  my  bridegroom,  prosper  and  live  ; 
Let  thy  beauty  arise  and  shine  forth  fierce  ; 
And  the  heart  of  thine  enemies  God  shall 
pierce, 


56  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

And  the  sins  of  thy  youth  will  He  forgive, 
And  bless  thee  in  increase  and  all  thou  shalt 

do, 
When  thou  settest  thine  hand  thereto. 

And  remember  thy  Rock,  Creator  of  thee, 

When  the  goodness  cometh  which  He  shall 
bring ; 

For  sons  out  of  many  days  shall  spring, 
And  e'en  as  thy  days  thy  strength  shall  be. 

Blessed  be  thou  when  thou  enterest, 

And  thy  going  out  shall  be  blest. 

'Mid  the  perfect  and  wise  shall  thy  portion  lie, 
So  thou  be  discreet  where  thou  turnest  thee ; 
And  thine  house  shall  be  builded  immovably, 

And  "Peace"  thou   shalt  call,  and    God    shall 

reply  ; 

And  peace  shall  be  thine  abode  ;  and  sealed 
Thy  bond  with  the  stones  of  the  field. 


WEDDING  SONG  57 

Thy  glory  shall  rise,  nor  make  delay ; 

And  thee  shall  He  call  and  choose ;  and  thy 
light, 

In  the  gloom,  in  the  darkness  of  night, 
Then  shall  break  forth  like  the  dawn  of  day  ; 

And  out  from  the  shining  light  of  the  morn 

Shall  the  dew  of  thy  youth  be  born. 


58  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Uo  tbe  Olors  of  Jerusalem 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

DEAUTIFUL   height!     O  joy!    the  whole 
world's  gladness  ! 

O  great  King's  city,  mountain  blest ! 
My  soul  is  yearning  unto  thee — is  yearning 

From  limits  of  the  west. 

The  torrents  heave  from  depths  of  mine  heart's 
passion, 

At  memory  of  thine  olden  state  : 
The  glory  of  thee  which  was  born  to  exile, 

Thy  dwelling  desolate. 

And  who  shall  grant  me  but  to  rise  and  reach  thee, 

Flying  on  eagle's  pinions  fleet, 
That  I  may  shed  upon  thy  dust,  beloved, 

Tears,  till  thy  dust  grow  sweet  ? 


TO  THE  GL  OR  Y  OF  JER  USA  LEM  59 

I  seek  thee,  though  thy  King  be  no  more  in 
thee, 

Though  where  the  balm  hath  been  of  old — 
Thy  Gilead's  balm — be  poisonous  adders  lurking, 

Winged  scorpions  manifold. 

Is  it  not  to  thy  stones  I  shall  be  tender  ? 

Shall  I  not  kiss  them  verily  ? 
Shall  not  the  earth  taste  on  my  lips  be  sweeter 

Than  honey— the  earth  of  thee  ? 


60  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


LOVED 
OF  MY 
SOUL 


THIS  POEM  is  attributed  by  some  to  JEHUDAH  HALEVI, 
by  others  to  ISRAEL  NAGARA,  the  most  gifted  poet  of 
the  sixteenth  century,  who  wrote  many  sacred  poems. 

Stanza  2,  line  3,  Numbers  xii,  13. 


L O VED  OF  MY  SOUL  61 


%o\?eo  of  flD£  Soul 


I    OVED  of  my  soul  !     Father  of  grace  ! 

Lead  on  Thy  servant  to  Thy  favoring  sight  ; 
He,  fleetly  as  the  hart,  shall  speed  his  pace 

To  bow  him  low  before  thy  glorious  might. 
Sweet  is  Thy  love  to  him  beyond  compare, 
Sweeter  than  honey,  fairer  than  things  fair. 

Splendor  of  worlds  !  honored,  adored  ! 

My  soul  is  sick  with  pining  love  of  Thee  ; 
My  God  !  I  pray  Thee,  heal  her  :  be  implored  ; 

And  o'er  her  let  Thy  holy  sweetness  be 
A  soothing  strength  to  stay  her  yearning  sore  ; 
And  joy  shall  be  for  her  for  evermore. 

Source  of  all  good  !  pity  Thou  me  ! 

And  be  Thou  moved  for  thy  beloved  son. 
Ah  !  would  that  I  could  rise  aloft  and  see 


62  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

The  beauty  of  Thy  strength,  Thou  Mighty 

One! 

These  things  my  soul  desireth  :  Lord,  I  pray, 
Grant  me  Thy  mercy ;  turn  Thee  not  away. 

Be  Thou  revealed,  Dearest  of  mine  ! 

And  spread  o'er  me  Thy  canopy  of  peace ; 
Lo  !  with  Thy  glory  all  the  earth  shall  shine, 

And  we  shall  know  a  joy  that  shall  not  cease. 
Hasten,  Beloved,  for  the  time  is  nigh, 
And  have  compassion  as  in  days  gone  by. 


SONG  OF  LONELINESS  63 


Sons  of  Xoneltness 

BY  JEHUDAH  HALEVI 

T  AM  of  little  worth  and  poor,  apart 

From  Him,  my  Glory ;  and  amid  the  years 
My  form  grows  like  a  shadow ;  till  my  heart 
Is  old,  but  not  by  my  years'  number ;  lo, 
My  witnesses  : — the  number  of  the  years 
Of  this  my  sojourning.     Nay,  but  I  grow 
So  old  in  His  forsaking. — If  in  truth 

He  shall  come  back  to  me  amid  the  years, 
Then  shall  come  back  to  me  with  Him  my  youth. 


64  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


THE   FAST 

OF 

TEBETH 


JOSEPH  BAR  SAMUEL  TOB  ELEM,  living  in  Limoges 
about  1040  C.  E.,  was  a  great  poet  of  his  time.  He  wrote 
numerous  Festival  poems. 

Stanza  i,  line  4,  Job  xvi,  7. 

Stanza  2,  line  3,  "write  the  law  in  Greek,"  Talmud 
Babli,  Megillah  9" ;  Josephus,  Antiquities  of  the  Jews, 
xii,  2  ;  line  4,  Psalm  cxxix,  3. 

Stanza  3,  line  3,  Genesis  xlix,  21  ;  line  4,  according  to 
tradition,  the  ninth  of  Tebeth  was  the  day  of  Ezra's 
death. 

Stanza  4,  line  4,  Ezekiel  xxiv,  2  :  "  Son  of  man,  write 
thee  the  name  of  the  day,  even  of  this  selfsame  day :  the 
king  of  Babylon  drew  close  unto  Jerusalem  this  selfsame 
day." 

Stanza  5,  line  4,  Ezekiel  xxxiii,  21. 

Stanza  6,  line  4,  Lamentations  i,  18. 

Stanza  7,  line  4,  Lamentations  iii,  56. 

Stanza  8,  line  4,  Job  xxxviii,  n. 


THE  FAST  OF  TEBETH  65 


Ube  ffast  of  TTebetb 

BY  JOSEPH  BAR  SAMUEL  TOB  ELEM 

I    O  !  I  recall  the  siege  which  fell  on  me  : 

Within  this  month  He  struck  me ;  He  de- 
stroyed 
With  three  blows ; — cut  me  down  and  left  me 

void ; — 
Now  He  hath  made  me  weary  utterly. 

He  silenced  on  the  eighth  day  all  my  throng : 
(Have  I  not  for  three  things  a  fast  proclaimed  ?) 
The  king  bade  :  write  the  law  in  Greek  ;  they 

maimed, 

They  ploughed  on  me ;  they  made  their  furrows 
long. 


66  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

Upon  the  ninth  day — wrath,  disgrace,  and  shame ! 

Stripped  off  was  my  fair  robe  in  honor  worn ; 

For  he  who  gave  sweet  words  was  surely  torn: 
Ezra  the  scribe — yea,  he  of  blessed  name. 

The  tenth  day :  then  the  seer  was  bidden :  "  Yea, 
Write  thee  within  the  book  of  vision  ;  write 
This  for  remembrance ;  now  shalt  thou  indite 

For  them  despised  and  crushed  this  selfsame 
day." 

Counting  the  months,  within  the  tenth  the  woe 
And  wail  he  wakened ;  but  the  sorrow's  smart — 
Its  onward  way  was  branded  on  my  heart 

When  one  came  saying  :  "  The  city  is  struck  low." 

For  these  things  I  have  scattered  o'er  me  dust : 
O  that  a  shaft  had  pierced  mine  heart  that 

day  ! 
For  such  woe  I  would  dig  my  grave ; — but  nay, 

I  wrought  rebelliously :  the  Lord  is  just. 


THE  FAST  OF  TEBETH  67 

I  call  Thee,  Thou  Who  hast  repentance  nigh 
For  mine  affliction  ;  lo  !  my  praying  heed  ; 
Hear  my  beseeching ;  my  salvation  speed  ; 

Hide  Thee  not  at  my  sighing,  at  my  cry. 

O  moon  Tebeth  !   exceeding  is  my  sum 

Of  pain  therein,  when  His  face  changed  for 

me. 

Yet,  though  I  sinned,  His  goodness  I  shall  see, 
Who  saith :    "  Ye  waves,  but  so  far  shall  ye 
come." 


68  SONGS  Of  EXILE 


HYMN 

OF 

WEEPING 


AMITTAI  BEN  SHEFATIA  lived  about  at  the  end  of  the 
eleventh  century.  He  recited  his  own  compositions  in 
the  synagogue  as  Chazan.  This  Hymn  occurs  in  the 
Neilah  Service  of  the  Day  of  Atonement,  and  has  for 
basis  and  refrain  the  following  Biblical  passage :  "  The 
Lord,  the  Lord;  a  God  full  of  compassion  and  gracious, 
slow  to  anger,  and  plenteous  in  mercy  and  truth  ;  keeping 
mercy  for  thousands,  forgiving  iniquity  and  transgression 
and  sin,  and  acquitting.  .  .  .  And  pardon  our  iniquity 
and  our  sin,  and  take  us  for  thine  inheritance  "—Exodus 
xxxiv,  6,  7,  9. 

Stanza  i,  line  i,  Psalm  Ixxvii,  3. 

Stanza  4,  line  2,  Psalm  Ivi,  8. 


HYMN  OF  WEEPING  69 


1K£tnn  ot  Weeping 

BY  AMITTAI 

T   ORD,  I  remember,  and  am  sore  amazed 
*-'     To  see  the  cities  stand  in  haughty  state, 
And  God's  own  city  to  the  low  grave  razed  : — 
Yet  in  all  time  we  look  to  Thee  and  wait. 

Spirit  of  mercy  !  rise  in  might !  awake  ! 

Plead  to  thy  Master  in  our  mournful  plaint, 
And  crave  compassion  for  thy  people's  sake ; 

Each  head  is  weary,  and  each  heart  is  faint. 

I  rest  upon  my  pillars — love  and  grace, 
Upon  the  flood  of  ever-flowing  tears  ; 

I  pour  out  prayer  before  His  searching  face, 
And  through  the  fathers'  merit  lull  my  fears. 

O  Thou  Who  hearest  weeping,  healest  woe  ! 

Our  tears  within  Thy  vase  of  crystal  store ; 
Save  us ;  and  all  Thy  dread  decrees  forego, 

For  unto  Thee  our  eyes  turn  evermore. 


70  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


HYMN 

OF 
REFUGE 


THE  HYMN  OF  REFUGE  is  taken,  like  the  last  hymn, 
from  the  closing  service  of  the  Day  of  Atonement,  and  it 
consists  of  the  first  stanza  of  a  Selichah  by  ISAAC  BEN 
SAMUEL  and  the  first  of  a  Selichah  by  SOLOMON  BEN 
SAMUEL.  The  date  of  the  first  poet  is  unknown,  though 
he  was  probably  one  of  those  composers  of  Selichoth  liv- 
ing between  the  tenth  and  the  twelfth  century.  SOLOMON 
lived  early  in  the  thirteenth  century.  These  two  verses 
are  sung  to  a  beautiful  old  melody  to  which  the  Kol 
Nidrei  poem,  "tDin.3  run  O,  is  also  set 


HYMN  OF  REFUGE  71 


IHpmn  of  IRefuoe 

'"THE  shade  of  His  hand  shall  cover  us 
(Under  the  wings  of  His  presence)  ; 

He  surely  will  pity,  trying  thus 
The  wrongful  heart,  to  show  the  righteous  way. 

Arise,  Lord,  I  beseech  Thee : 
My  help  !  help  now,  I  pray ; 

Lord,  now  let  our  crying  reach  Thee. 

"  Forgiven,"  He  will  let  us  hear 
(He  in  His  secret  dwelling) ; 

His  hand  shall  bring  salvation  near 
The  people,  poor  and  lowly  and  astray. 

While  we  to  Thee  be  crying, 
Help  wondrously  we  pray  ; 

Lord,  now  be  Thou  replying. 


72  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

I  AM 

THE  SUPPLIANT 

BARUCH  BEN  SAMUEL  died  in  Mayence  in  1221.  He 
wrote  Talmudical  commentaries  and  works  in  law,  be- 
sides many  poems  for  the  synagogue.  I  AM  THE  SUPPLI- 
ANT is  a  Selichah  recited  in  the  Musaf  Service  of  the 
Day  of  Atonement. 

Stanza   2,  line  i,  Jeremiah  iv,  19. 

Stanza    7,  line  4,  Lamentations  i,  i. 

Stanza  13,  line  4,  Lamentations  i,  18. 

Stanza  15,  line  4,  Genesis  xxvii,  2. 

Stanza  16,  line  4,  Psalm  xxxix,  13. 

Stanza  17,  line  2,  Hosea  i,  6;  line  3,  Psalm  xvii,  i. 

Stanza  18,  line  4,  Numbers  xi,  15. 

Stanza  19,  line  4,  Jonah  ii,  8. 

Stanza  21,  line  4,  Psalm  xxx,  10. 

Stanza  22,  line  4,  Genesis  xxxvii,  7. 

Stanza  23,  line  4,  Genesis  xlviii,  19. 

Stanza  25,  line  3,  Psalm  cxix,  176. 

Stanza  26,  line  4,  Genesis  xliv,  28. 

Stanza  27,  line  4,  Song  of  Songs  v,  6. 

Stanza  30,  line  4,  Genesis  xxxiii,  1 1. 

Stanza  31,  line  4,  Genesis  xxix,  19. 

Stanza  32,  line  4,  Lamentations,  iii,  56. 


I  AM  THE  SUPPLIANT  73 

fl  am  tbe  Suppliant 

BY  BARUCH  BEN  SAMUEL 

¥  AM  the  suppliant  for  my  people  here, 

Yea,  for  the  House  of  Israel,  I  am  he ; 
I  seek  my  God's  benign  and  heedful  ear, 
For  words  that  rise  from  me. 

Amid  the  walls  of  hearts  that  stand  around, 

My  bitter  sighs  surge  up  and  mount  the  sky ; 
Ah !   how  my  heart  doth  pant  with  ceaseless 
bound 

F  >r  God,  my  Rock  on  high. 

With   mighty   works    and   wondrous    He   hath 

wrought, 
Lord  of  my  strength,  my  God.    When  me  He 

bade 

To  make  a  sanctuary  for  Him,  I  sought, 
I  labored,  and  'twas  made. 


74  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

The   Lord,   my   God,    He    hath    fulfilled    His 

word ; — 

He  ruleth  as  an  all-consuming  fire ; — 

I  came  with  sacrifice,  my  prayer  He  heard, 

Then  granted  my  desire. 

My  sprinkling  He  accepted  at  the  dawn 

Of  this,  the  holiest  day,  the  chosen  one, 
When  with  the  daily  offering  of  the  morn 
The  High  Priest  had  begun. 

And  when  the  services  thereafter  came, 
In  glorious  order,  each  a  sacred  rite, 
I,  bending  low,  and  calling  on  the  Name, 
Confessed  before  His  sight. 

The  holy  Priests,  the  ardent,  for  their  sin 

Upon  this  day  made  their  atonement  then, 
With  blood  of  bullocks  and  of  goats,  within 
The  city  full  of  men. 


/  AM  THE  SUPPLIANT  75 

The    Priest    with    glowing    censer   seemed   as 

one 

Preparing  for  the  pure  a  way  by  fire. 

Then  with  two  rams  I  came,  e'en  as  a  son 

That  cometh  to  his  sire. 

The  bathings  and  ablutions,  as  'twas  meet, 

Were  all  performed  according  to  their  way ; 
Then  passed  before  the  throne  of  God  complete 
The  service  of  the  day. 

And  when  sweet  strains  of  praise  to  glorify 

Burst  forth  in  psalmody  and  songs  of  love, 
Yea,  when  I  heard  the  voice  uplifted  high, 
I  raised  my  hand  above. 

The  rising  clouds  of  incense,  mantling  o'er 

The  mercy-seat,  lent  savor  to  its  grace  : 
Then  glory  filled  me,  and  my  soul  would  soar 
To  yon  exalted  place. 


76  SOJVGS  Of  EXILE 

Of  ancient  times  I  dream,  of  vanished  days ; 

Now  wild  disquiet  rageth  unrestrained  ; 
Scorned  and  reproached  by  all,  from  godly  ways 
Have  I,  alas,  refrained. 

Afar  mine  eyes  have  strayed,  and  I  have  erred, 
And  deaf  I  made  mine  ears,  their  listening 

quelled ; 

And  righteous  is  the  Lord,  for  at  His  word 
I  sorely  have  rebelled. 

Perverseness  have  I  loved,  and  wrongful  thought, 
And   hating  good,    strove    righteousness    to 

shun, 

And  in  mine  actions  foolishness  have  wrought ; 
Great  evil  have  I  done. 

Pardon,  I  pray  Thee,  our  iniquity, 

O  God,  from  Thine  high  dwelling,  and  behold 
The  souls  that  in  affliction  weep  to  Thee — 
For  lo  !  I  have  grown  old. 


I  AM  THE  SUPPLIANT  77 

Work  for  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  marvels  now, 
O  Lord  of  Hosts  !  in  mercy  lull  our  fears  ; 
Answer  with  potent  signs,  and  be  not  Thou 
Silent  unto  my  tears. 

Open  Thine  hand  exalted,  nor  revile 

The  hearts  not  comforted,  but  pierced  with 

care, 

Praying  with  fervent  lips,  that  know  not  guile, 
O  hearken  to  my  prayer ! 

Look  Thou  upon  my  sorrow,  I  implore, 

But  not  upon  the  sin  that  laid  me  low ; 
Judge,  God,  the  cause  of  mine  affliction  sore ; 
Let  me  not  see  my  woe. 

O  Thou,  my  Maker !  I  have  called  on  Thee, 
Pictured  my  thought  to  Thee,  pronounced  my 

word; 

And  at  the  time  my  spirit  failed  in  me, 
Remembered  I  the  Lord. 


78  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

Behold  my  wound,  O  Thou  Who  giv'st  relief ! 
Let  me  Thine   ears  with  voice   of  weeping 

win; 

Seek  in  Thy  mercy  balsam  for  my  grief, 
But  seek  not  for  my  sin. 

Give  ear  unto  my  voice,  O  list  my  call ! 

And  give  me  peace,  for  Thou  art  great  to  save. 
What  profit  is  there  in  my  blood,  my  fall 
Down  low  unto  the  grave  ? 

But  I  unceasing  will  declare  Thy  praise  ; 

Grant  my  atonement,  though  I  sinned  so  oft. 
Bring  not  my  word  to  nothingness,  but  raise 
My  fallen  sheaf  aloft. 

Redeem  Thy  son,  long  sold  to  bondage  grim, 

And  on  his  substance  let  Thy  blessing  flow; 
How  long,  O  Lord,  ere  Thou  wilt  say  to  him, 
"  I  know,  my  son,  I  know. 


I  AM  THE  SUPPLIANT  79 

"I  see  thee  heavy-laden  with  thy  care, 

With    sorrow's     burden    greater    than     thy 

strength ; 

I  hear  thee  wailing :  yea,  but  I  will  spare, 
And  will  redeem  at  length." 

And  now,  O  my  Redeemer,  lo  !  behold 

The  chains  that  bind  me  'neath  their  cruel 

sway, 

And  seek  Thy  servant,  wandered  from  the  fold, 
A  lost  sheep,  gone  astray. 

Beauty's  perfection  lieth  fallen  low, 

Broken  and  waste,  which  stood  in  majesty; 
The  glory  is  gone  forth,  and  fled,  for  woe  ! 
The  One  went  out  from  me. 

My  strong  bars  He  hath  broken  every  one ; 

He  hath  been  wroth  with  me  :  I  am  bereft. 
For  my  belov'd  hath  turned  aside  and  gone, 
A  desert  am  I  left. 


80  SO NG  S  OF  EXILE 

My  gates  are  sunken,  they  that  stood  so  high ; 

My  sacred  doors  are  shattered  and  laid  waste; 
Lo!  they  are  moved  and  vanished  hence;  and  I 
Am  humbled  and  disgraced. 

Dumb  are  mine  advocates  in  mine  appeal, 
High  in  their  pride  my  scorners  raise  their 

crest ; 

They  quench  my  light,  they  darkly  do  conceal 
My  welfare  and  my  rest. 

O  Lord,  my  God  !    all  strength  doth  dwell   in 

Thee, 

O  hear  my  voice,  as  humbly  here  I  bow ; 
And  let  the  sentence  of  Thy  judgment  be, 
"Take  thou  my  blessing  now." 

Behold  me  fallen  low  from  whence  I  stood, 

And  mine  assembly  with  compassion  see ; 
And  this  my  soul,  mine  only  one,  'tis  good 
To  give  it  unto  Thee. 


I  AM  THE  SUPPLIANT  81 

Take  back  Thy  son  once  more,  and  draw  him 

near; 

Hide  not  from  him  the  radiance  of  Thine  eye, 
Turn  not  away,  but  bend  a  favoring  ear 
Unto  my  plaint,  my  cry. 


82  SOJVGS  Of  EXILE 


THE  BURNING 
OF  THE 
LAW 


To  MEIR  BEN  BARUCH  BEN  MEIR,  born  in  Worms  in 
1 220,  was  given  the  title  "  Light  and  Great  Light,"  re- 
served for  the  greatest  Rabbis.  In  1286  he  was  impris- 
oned as  a  hostage  for  the  Jewish  emigrants,  and  in  1293 
he  died  in  prison,  though  a  ransom  had  been  offered  for 
his  release.  He  had  refused  it,  fearing  to  create  a  prece- 
dent for  the  extortion  of  money  from  the  Jews  by  their 
imprisonment  and  ransom.  The  following  Kinnah,  in 
which  he  mourns  the  burning  of  the  Law  at  Paris,  is 
read  on  the  Ninth  of  Ab,  and  has  the  form  of  the  "  Zion  " 
poems  for  that  day,  of  which  Jehudah  Halevi's  ODE  TO 
ZION  (p.  37)  is  the  chief. 

Stanza  2,  line  i,  "panting  for  thy  land's  sweet  dust," 
Amos  ii,  7. 

Stanza    7,  line  4,  Proverbs  xxiv,  31. 

Stanza   9,  line  4,  Psalm  cxxxvii,  8. 

Stanza  18,  line  4,  Isaiah  xl,  2. 

Stanza  25,  line  i,  "  Taking  His  holy  treasure,"  Proverbs 
vii,  20;  line  2,  Proverbs  vii,  19. 

Stanza  26,  line  3,  Isaiah  xxx,  17. 

Stanza  30,  line  4,  Jeremiah  ii,  2. 


THE  BURNING  OF  THE  LAW  83 


Ube  Burning  of  tbe  %aw 

BY  MEIR  OF  ROTHENBURG 

A  SK,  is  it  well,  O  thou  consumed  of  fire, 

With  those  that  mourn  for  thee, 
That  yearn  to  tread  thy  courts,  that  sore  desire 
Thy  sanctuary ; 

That,  panting  for  thy   land's   sweet   dust,  are 
grieved, 

And  sorrow  in  their  souls, 
And  by  the  flames  of  wasting  fire  bereaved, 
Mourn  for  thy  scrolls  ; 

That  grope  in  shadow  of  unbroken  night, 

Waiting  the  day  to  see 
Which  o'er  them  yet  shall  cast  a  radiance  bright, 

And  over  thee  ? 


84  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Ask  of  the  welfare  of  the  man  of  woe, 
With  breaking  heart,  in  vain 

Lamenting  ever  for  thine  overthrow, 
And  for  thy  pain  ; 

Of  him  that  crieth  as  the  jackals  cry, 
As  owls  their  moaning  make, 

Proclaiming  bitter  wailing  far  and  nigh  ; 
Yea,  for  thy  sake. 

And  thou  revealed  amid  a  heavenly  fire, 

By  earthly  fire  consumed, 
Say  how  the  foe  unscorched  escaped  the  pyre 

Thy  flames  illumed  ! 

How  long  shalt  thou  that  art  at  ease  abide 

In  peace,  unknown  to  woe, 
While   o'er  my   flowers,   humbled    from    their 
pride, 

Thy  nettles  grow  ? 


THE  BURNING  OF  THE  LAW  85 

Thou  sittest  high  exalted,  lofty  foe ! 

To  judge  the  sons  of  God  ; 
And  with  thy  judgments  stern  dost  bring  them 
low 

Beneath  thy  rod. 

Yea,  more,  to  burn  the  Law  thou  durst  decree — 
God's  word  to  banish  hence : 

Then  blest  be  he  who  shall  award  to  thee 
Thy  recompense  ! 

Was  it  for  this,  thou  Law,  my  Rock  of  old 
Gave  thee  with  flames  begirt, 

That  in  thine  after-days  should  fire  seize  hold 
Upon  thy  skirt  ? 

O  Sinai !  was  it  then  for  this  God  chose 
Thy  mount  of  modest  height, 

Rejecting  statelier,  while  on  thee  arose 
His  glorious  light  ? 


86  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Wast  thou  an  omen  that  from  noble  state 

The  Law  should  lowly  be  ? 
And  lo  !  a  parable  will  I  relate 

Befitting  thee. 

Tis  of  a  king  I  tell,  who  sat  before 

The  banquet  of  his  son 

And    wept :    for   'mid    the    mirth    he    death 
foresaw ; 

So  thou  hast  done. 

Cast  off  thy  robe ;  in  sackcloth  folds  of  night, 

O  Sinai !  cover  thee  ; 
Don  widow's  garb,  discard  thy  raiment  bright 

Of  royalty. 

Lo,  I  will  weep  for  thee  until  my  tears 

Swell  as  a  stream  and  flow 
Unto  the  graves  where  thy  two  princely  seers 

Sleep  calm  below : 


THE  BURNING  OF  THE  LAW  87 

Moses ;  and  Aaron  in  the  Mountain  Hor ; 

I  will  of  them  inquire  : 
Is  there  another  to  replace  this  Law 

Devoured  of  fire  ? 

O  thou  third  month  most  sacred  !  woe  is  me 

For  treason  of  the  fourth, 

Which  dimmed  the  sacred  light  that  shone  from 
thee 

And  kindled  wrath ; 

And  brake  the  tablets,  yea,  and  still  did  rage : 

And  lo !  the  Law  is  burnt ! 
Ye  sinful !  is  not  this  the  twofold  wage 

Which  ye  have  earnt  ? 

Dismay  hath  seized  upon  my  soul ;  how,  then, 

Can  food  be  sweet  to  me, 
When,  O  thou  Law,  I  have  beheld  base  men 

Destroying  thee  ? 


88  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

They  cast  thee  out  as  one  despised,  and  burn 

The  wealth  of  God  Most  High  ; 
They  whom  from  thine  assembly  thou  wouldst 
spurn 

From  drawing  nigh. 

I  cannot  pass  along  the  highway  more, 
Nor  seek  thy  ways  forlorn  ; 

How  do  thy  paths  their  loneliness  deplore ! 
Lo !  how  they  mourn  ! 

The  mingled  cup  shall  taste  as  honey  sweet 
Where  tears  o'erbrim  the  wine ; 

Yea,  and  thy  chains  upon  my  shackled  feet 
Are  joy  divine. 

Sweet  would  it  be  unto  mine  eyes  alway 

A  rain  of  tears  to  pour, 
To  sob  and  drench  thy  sacred  robes,  till  they 

Could  hold  no  more. 


THE  BURNING  OF  THE  LAW 


But  lo!    my  tears  are  dried,   when,  fast    out- 
poured. 

They  down  my  cheeks  are  shed ; 
Scorched  by  the  fire  within :  because  thy  Lord 
Hath  turned  and  fled. 

Taking  His  holy  treasure,  He  hath  made 

His  journey  far  away  ; 
And  with  Him  hath  not  thy  protecting  shade 

Vanished  for  aye  ? 

And  I  am  desolate  and  sore  bereft, 

Lo  !  a  forsaken  one  : 
Like  a  sole  beacon  on  a  mountain  left, 

A  tower  alone. 

I  hear  the  voice  of  singers  now  no  more, 
Silence  their  song  hath  bound  ; 

The  strings  are  broken  which  on  harps  of  yore 
Breathed  forth  sweet  sound. 


90  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

In  sackcloth  I  will  clothe  and  sable  band, 

For  well-beloved  by  me 

Were  they  whose    lives    were    many   as    the 
sand — 

The  slain  of  thee. 

I  am  astonied  that  the  day's  fair  light 

Yet  shineth  brilliantly 
On  all  things  : — it  is  ever  dark  as  night 

To  me  and  thee. 

Send  with  a  bitter  cry  to  God  above 
Thine  anguish,  nor  withhold  : 

Ah  !  that  He  would  remember  yet  His  love, 
His  troth  of  old  ! 

Gird  on  the  sackcloth  of  thy  misery 

For  that  devouring  fire, 
Which  burst  forth  ravenous  on  thine  and  thee 

With  wasting  dire. 


THE  BURNING  OF  THE  LAW  91 

E'en  as  thy  Rock  hath  sore  afflicted  thee, 

He  will  assuage  thy  woe, 
Will  turn  again  the  tribes'  captivity, 

And  raise  the  low. 

Yet  shalt  thou  wear  thy  scarlet  raiment  choice, 
And  sound  the  timbrels  high, 

And  yet  amid  the  dancers  shalt  rejoice 
With  gladdened  cry. 

My  neart  shall  be  uplifted  on  the  day 
Thy  Rock  shall  be  thy  light, 

When  He  shall  make  thy  gloom  to  pass  away, 
Thy  darkness  bright. 


92  SO1VGS  OF  EXILE 


DIRGE 
FOR   THE 
NINTH  OF  AB 


THE  AUTHOR  is  doubtful. 

Stanza  i,  line  i,  Isaiah  li,  21;  line  3,  "make  thee  bald," 
Micah  i,  16. 

Stanza  3,  line  13,  i  Kings  vi,  21;  line  14,  i  Kings  vi,  4. 
The  Targum  JONATHAN  BEN  UZZIEL  paraphrases  this 
verse  in  accordance  with  tradition :  "And  they  made  for 
the  house  windows  wide  outwardly  and  narrow  inwardly." 
The  tradition  was  that  while  ordinary  windows  were  con- 
structed by  cavities  in  the  walls  cut  at  an  angle  widening 
inwardly  to  admit  the  rays  of  light  into  the  building,  the 
windows  of  the  Temple  were  cut  in  the  opposite  way  to 
suggest  that  the  Temple  was  the  true  source  of  light. 

Stanza  5,  line  3,  Jeremiah  xlviii,  34 ;  line  4,  Jeremiah 
xlviii,  21;  line  7,  Psalm  cxxxvii,  8. 

Stanza  7,  lines  i,  3,  Micah  vii,  8. 


DIRGE  FOR  THE  NINTH  OF  AB  93 


2>fr0e  for  tbe  flltntb  of  Bb 

C\  THOU  afflicted,  drunken  not  with  wine ! 
Cast  to  the  earth  thy  timbrel ;  strip  thee 

bare ; 
Yea,   make    thee    bald ;     let    not    thy   beauty 

shine ; 

Despoil  of  comeliness  thy  presence  fair  ; 
Lift  up  a  wailing  on  the  mountain  height ; 
Turn  thee  to  all  thy  borders  ;  seek  thy  flight. 

And  cry  before  the  Lord 
For  thresholds  waste, 
For  thresholds  waste ; 

Cry  for  thy  little  ones 
Slain  of  the  sword  ; 

Lift  up  thine  hands  to  Him, 
To  Him  implored. 


94  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

How  hath  to  Zion  come  the  foeman  dread, 

Into  the  royal  city  entrance  found  ! 
How  do  the  reckless  feet  of  strangers  tread 

With  step  irreverent  on  the  hallowed  ground  ! 
Lo  !  when  the  spoilers  stormed  the  sanctuary, 

They  fell   on   priests,  the  guards  of   sacred 

rite, 
Watchmen  who  kept  their  charge,  and  fearlessly 

Stood  by,  unflinching  'mid  the  deadly  fight : 
Until  their  blood  was  shed,  profuse  as  when 

Of  yore  the  Nile  was  turned  to  bloody  flow ; 
Within  the  curtain  burst  unholy  men, 

Yea,  even  where  the  High  Priest  feared  to  go. 
They  stript  of  gold  thy  walls'  majestic  heights, 
And  the  fair  windows  of  thy  narrowed  lights. 

And  cry  before  the  Lord 
For  thresholds  waste, 
For  thresholds  waste ; 
Cry  for  thy  little  ones 


DIRGE  FOR  THE  NINTH  OF  AB  95 

Slain  of  the  sword  ; 

Lift  up  thine  hands  to  Him, 
To  Him  implored. 

The  voice  of  Zion's  daughter  sore  doth  moan, 

She  waileth  from  afar  in  anguish  deep, 
Uttereth  the  cry  of  Heshbon  overthrown, 

And   with   the   weeping   of   Mephaath   doth 

weep : 

Woe !    I  have  drunk  the  cup,  have  drained  it ! 
Woe! 

Lions  with  savage  fangs  have  me  undone, 
Daughter  of  Babylon,  that  liest  low ! 

Daughter  of  Edom,  O  thou  guilty  one  ! — 
Wherefore,  O  Zion,  art  bewailing  thee 

O'er  this  thy  doom  ?  for  lo  !  thy  sin  is  known : 
By  the  abundance  of  iniquity 

Beholdest  thou  the  exile  of  thine  own  ; 
For  that  thy  watchman  true  thou  didst  forsake, 

To  hearken  unto  words  false  omens  spake. 


96  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

And  cry  before  the  Lord 
For  thresholds  waste, 
For  thresholds  waste ; 

Cry  for  thy  little  ones 
Slain  of  the  sword  ; 

Lift  up  thine  hands  to  Him, 
To  Him  implored. 

Rejoice  not,  O  mine  enemy,  o'er  my  pain, 

O'er  the  destruction  that  hath  come  to  me, 
For  though  I  fall  I  shall  arise  again ; 

The  Lord  yet  helpeth  me ;  yea,  even  He 
Who    scattered,   in    His    burning   wrath,    His 
flock, 

Shall  gather  me  once  more  within  His  fold ; 
He  shall  deliver  me  from  thee ;  my  Rock 

Shall  free  His  servant  to  thy  bondage  sold. 
Then  unto  thee  shall  pass  the  brimming  bowl, 

The  cup   whose   bitterness    hath    filled    my 
soul. 


DIRGE  FOR  THE  NINTH  OF  AB  97 

And  cry  before  the  Lord 
For  thresholds  waste, 
For  thresholds  waste ; 

Cry  for  thy  little  ones 
Slain  of  the  sword  ; 

Lift  up  thine  hands  to  Him, 
To  Him  implored. 


g8  SOJVGS  OF  EXILE 


FROM  the  Liturgy  for  Hoshana  Rabbah,  The  author 
is  unknown. 

Stanza  6,  line  i,  refers  to  the  ceremony  of  the  pouring 
forth  of  water  at  the  Temple  during  the  Festival  of 
Tabernacles. 

Stanza  9,  line  2,  Hosea  iii,  2.  For  mystical  interpre- 
tations, see  Targunt  Jonathan,  Rashi  in  loco,  Mezudath 
Zion,  and  Mezudath  David. 

Stanza  10,  line  i,  Leviticus  xxiii,  40. 


HO  SHAN  A  99 


Dosbana 

C\  GOD!  like  lost  sheep  we  have  gone  astray; 
From  out  Thy  book  wipe  not  our  name 
away. 

Save !  O  save  ! 

O  God  !  sustain  the  sheep  for  slaughter ; — see 
These  dealt  with  wrathfully  and  slain  for  Thee. 
Save  !  O  save ! 

O  God !  Thy  sheep !  the  sheep  whom  Thou  didst 

tend 

In  pasture  ;  Thy  creation  and  Thy  friend. 
Save  !  O  save  ! 

O  God !  the  poor  among  the  sheep !  Take  heed : 
Answer  in  time  of  favor  to  their  need. 
Save  !  O  save  I 


SONGS  Of  EXILE 


O   God !    they  lift  their  eyes    to   Thee,   long 

sought : 
Let  those  that  rise  against  Thee  count  as 

naught. 

Save !  O  save  ! 

O  God  !  they  pouring  water,  worshipping — 
Let  them  be  drawing  from  salvation's  spring. 
Save  !  O  save  ! 

O  God !  let  saviours  come  to  Zion  at  length, 
Endowed  of  Thee,  and  saved  by  Thy  Name's 
strength. 

Save  !  O  save  ! 

O  God !  in  garb  of  vengeance  clad  about, 
In  mighty  wrath  cast  all  deceivers  out. 
Save  !  O  save  ! 

O  God !  and  Thou  wilt  surely  not  forget 
Her,  by  love-tokens  bought,  that  hopeth  yet. 
Save  !  O  save ! 


HOSHANA 


O  God  !  they  seeking  Thee  with  willow  bough 
Regard  their  crying  from  Thine  Heaven  now. 
Save !  O  save ! 

O  God  !  as  with  a  crown  bless  Thou  the  year ; 
Yea,  Lord,  my  singing,  I  beseech  Thee,  hear. 
Save !  O  save ! 


SOWGS  Of  EXILE 


THE  ARK 
OF   THE 
COVENANT 


THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT  was  suggested  by  the 
following  fragments  from  the  Talmud : 

Rabbi  Eliezer  saith:  "The  Ark  hath  gone  into  cap- 
tivity unto  Babylon,  as  it  is  said,  'And  at  the  return  of 
the  year  King  Nebuchadnezzar  sent  and  brought  him 
(Jehoiachin)  to  Babylon,  with  the  goodly  vessels  of  the 
House  of  the  Lord.'  " 

Rabbi  Simeon  ben  Yochai  saith  :  "  The  Ark  hath  gone 
into  captivity  unto  Babylon,  as  it  is  said,  '  Nothing  shall 
be  left,  saith  the  Lord.'  This  referreth  to  the  Ten  Words 
which  were  enshrined  therein." 

Rabbi  Judah  (ben  Lakish)  saith  :  "  The  Ark  is  hidden 
in  its  place,  as  it  is  said :  '  That  the  ends  of  the  staves 
were  seen  from  the  holy  place  before  the  oracle ;  but  they 
were  not  seen  without :  and  there  they  are  unto  this  day.' " 

And  where  it  is  written  "  unto  this  day,"  it  is  always 
understood  to  mean  forever. 

And  the  sages  say,  "  The  Ark  was  hidden  in  the 
chamber  of  the  Wood  Pile. ' 

Rabbi  Nachman  bar  Isaac  saith:  "I  likewise  have 
received  a  tradition.  It  is  related  of  a  priest,  that,  while 
wrapt  in  contemplation,  he  perceived  that  one  of  the  stones 
of  the  pavement  differed  in  appearance  from  the  others. 
And  he  forthwith  went  to  apprise  his  comrade ;  but  be- 


THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT  103 

fore  he  had  ended  his  words  his  soul  went  forth.  And 
they  knew  of  a  truth  that  there  the  Ark  was  hidden." 

There  was  a  tradition  with  the  disciples  of  Rabbi  Ish- 
mael,  that  two  priests  were  examining  the  wood  (to  be 
burnt  upon  the  altar),  when  the  axe  of  one  fell,  and  a 
flame  went  forth  and  consumed  him. —  Yoma  53b,  54*. 

.  .  .  .  There  were  thirteen  places  of  prostration  in 
the  sanctuary.  But  in  the  time  of  Rabban  Gamaliel  and 
Rabbi  Chanina,  the  second  High  Priest,  they  prostrated 
themselves  at  fourteen  places.  And  where  was  the  addi- 
tional place?  By  the  wood  pile;  for  they  had  received  a 
tradition  from  their  fathers  that  the  Ark  was  hidden  there. 
It  is  related  that  a  priest,  while  wrapt  in  contemplation, 
perceived  that  one  of  the  stones  differed  in  appearance 
from  the  others.  And  he  forthwith  went  to  apprise  his 
comrade ;  but  before  he  had  ended  his  words,  his  soul 
went  forth.  And  they  knew  of  a  truth  that  there  the  Ark 
was  hidden.— Jems.  Shekalim,  ch.  16. 

Stanza  7,  line  4.  The  Shechinah  withdrew  by  ten  stages 
— from  the  Mercy  Seat  to  one  Cherub,  from  one  .Cherub 
to  the  other,  from  the  Cherub  to  the  Threshold,  from  the 
Threshold  to  the  Court,  from  the  Court  to  the  Altar, 
from  the  Altar  to  the  Roof,  from  the  Roof  to  the  Wall, 
from  the  Wall  to  the  City,  from  the  City  to  the  Mount, 
and  from  the  Mount  to  the  Wilderness.  From  the  Wilder- 
ness it  ascended  and  abode  in  its  place,  as  it  is  said,  "  I 
will  go  and  return  unto  My  place." — Rosh  ha-Shanah  31*. 


104  SOJVGS  OF  EXILE 


Hrfc  of  tbe  Covenant 


'"FHERE  is  a  legend  full  of  joy  and  pain, 
An  old  tradition  told  of  former  years, 
When  Israel  built  the  Temple  once  again 
And  stayed  his  tears. 

'Twas  in  the  chamber  where  the  Wood  Pile  lay, 
The  logs  wherewith  the  altar's  flame  was  fed  ; 
There  hope  recalled  the  Light  of  vanished  day, 
The  Light  long  fled. 

A  priest  moved  slowly  o'er  the  marble  floor, 

Sorting  the  fuel  in  the  chamber  stored  ; 
Frail  was  his  form  ;  —  he  ministered  no  more 
Before  the  Lord. 


THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT  105 

Wrapt  in  still  thought,  with  sad  and  mournful 

mien, 

Plying  his  axe  with  oft  a  troubled  sigh, 
He  dreamed  of  glory  which  the  House  had  seen 
In  days  gone  by  ; 

Mused  of  the  time  when  in  the  Holy  Place 

God's  Presence  dwelt  between  the  Cherubim, 
And  of  the  day  He  turned  away  His  face, 
And  light  grew  dim  ; 

When  the  Shechinah  from  that  erring  throng, 

Alas,  withdrew,  yet  tarried  in  the  track, 
As  one  who  lingereth  on  the  threshold  long 
And  looketh  back ; 

Then  step  by  step  in  that  reluctant  flight 
Approached  the  shadow  of  the  city  wall, 
And  lingered  yet  upcn  the  mountain  height 
For  hoped  recall. 


io6  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

The  Temple  standing,  pride  of  Israel's  race, 

Hath  resting  there  no  sacred  Ark  of  Gold ; 
God's  Glory  filleth  not  the  Holy  Place 
As  once  of  old. 

Surely  the  glory  of  the  House  is  o'er ; 

Gone  is  the  Presence,  silent  is  the  Voice ; — 
They  who  remember  that  which  is  no  more, 
Can  they  rejoice  ? 

To  him,  so  musing,  sudden  rapture  came ; 

The  axe  fell  from  his  trembling  hand's  control ; 
A  fire  leapt  upward,  and  a  burning  flame 
Woke  in  his  soul. 

His  eyes  had  seen  ;  his  soul  spoke ;  he  had  gazed 
Upon  one  stone  of  that  smooth  marble  plain  : — 
Lo  !  from  its  place  it  surely  had  been  raised, 
And  set  again. 


THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT  107 

Into  his  heart  there  flashed  prophetic  light ; 

With  sudden  force  the  secret  was  revealed ; 
What  but  one  treasure,  sacred  in  his  sight, 
Lay  there  concealed  ? 

As  one  of  Heaven  bid  who  dare  not  wait, 
With  step  grown  firm  as  with  the  strength  of 

youth, 

He  hastened  to  his  comrade  to  relate 
The  wondrous  truth. 

With  hand  uplifted,  and  a  light  sublime 

In  eyes  that  full  of  some  new  wonder  shone, 
He  seemed  a  holy  seer  of  olden  time 
To  look  upon. 

Yet  from  his  parted  lips  no  message  came ; 
In  silence  reached  he  his  immortal  goal ; 
And  from  its  dwelling  in  the  earthly  frame 
Went  forth  his  soul. 


io8  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Soon  o'er  the  house  flew,  murmuring,  strange 

reports. 

And  men  and  women  trembled  at  the  sound, 
And  priests  came  swiftly  from  the  sacred  courts, 
And  thronged  around. 

And  all  these  came  from  all  their  paths  away, 

In  hurried  gathering  which  none  gainsaid, 
And  stood  in  utter  silence  where  he  lay, 
The  priestly  dead. 

Lo !  in  the  hush  the  spirit,  as  it  passed 

Beyond  the  still  form  and  the  peaceful  brow, 
Seemed  to  speak  audibly  :  "  O  Lord,  at  last ! 
I  see  Thee  now. 

"  Mine  eyes  have  seen  this  day  my  life's  fair 

dream, 
In  this  my  death  have  seen  that  dream  ful- 

filled- 

The  longing  of  my  heart,  the  wish  supreme 
That  grief  instilled. 


THE  ARK  OF  THE  COVENANT  109 

"  I  said,  God's  Ark  is  captive  far  away, 

So  wept  I,  Ichabod,  for  glory  fled, 
And  mourned  because  the  brightness  of  the  day 
Was  quenched  and  dead. 

"  Yet,  verily,  if  in  a  far-off  land 

The  Ark  of  God  in  exile  dwelleth  still, 
Yea,  even  so  'tis  with  the  pure  of  hand 
Who  do  His  will. 

"  Know  then,  ye  priests  and  Levites,  Israel  all, 

Hid  in  its  place  the  Ark  of  God  doth  lie, 
His  presence  hath  not  gone  beyond  recall, 
But  bideth  nigh. 

"  Haste,  brethren,  let  the  gates  asunder  burst ; 

Regain  the  Ark,  the  Covenant  hold  fast ; 
And  by  the  glorious  Second  House,  the  First 
Shall  be  surpassed ! 


SONGS  Of  EXILE 


"  Behold,  thou  comest  as  the  dawn  of  day  ! 

Shechinah  !  changeless,  to  illume  the  night ! 
O  Thou,  Who  art  a  lamp  upon  the  way, 
Who  art  the  light !  " 

So  sang  his  soul,  with  life's  full  radiance  crowned  ; 

So  dawned  again  the  shining  of  God's  face  : 
For  each  heart  knew  the  Ark  could  yet  be  found 
Within  its  place. 


THE  IDEAL  MINISTER 


^minister 

FROM  THE  TRACTATE  TAANITH  IN  THE  BABYLONIAN 
TALMUD 

OEHOLD  him  humble  and  with  naught  of 

wealth, 

Save  for  the  righteousness  within  his  soul 
And  knowledge  stored  abundantly  therein, 
More  precious  than  the  riches  of  the  earth  ; 
Gentle  and  meek  and  lowly  in  his  ways, 
Knowing    the   source   wherefrom    his   wisdom 

flows  ; 

Labor  despising  not,  he  turneth  toil 
Into  a  blessing.     And  his  heart  is  set 
In  tender  moulding  of  a  father's  love. 
For  he  hath  children,  that  he  well  may  know 
The  heart  of  other  men  ;  and  so  he  prayeth 
E'en  with  such  fervor  and  such  earnestness 
For  sons  of  others  ;  grown  compassionate, 
As  hath  a  father  pity  on  his  son. 


SONGS  Of  EXILE 


Closed  are  his  portals  to  unrighteousness ; 
Guilt  findeth  not  a  place  beneath  his  roof ; 
His  fame  is  perfect  and  his  name  unstained  ; 
His  life  is  seen  not  of  the  eyes  of  sin. 
Unto  the  people,  trusting,  loving  him, 
His  coming  is  a  gladness  ;  for  he  lures 
The  heart  of  them  with  wondrous  sympathy, 
Embracing  all  their  sorrows  and  their  joy, 
Speaking  the  word  of  comfort  in  its  time, 
Rejoicing  with  them  in  their  joyous  day. 
What  can  surpass  the  sweetness  of  his  voice — 
Revealing  his  soul's  beauty,  sending  forth 
Unto  his  heedful  hearers  solemn  sounds 
Of  holiness  made  holier  by  song  ? 
The  Law  speaks  loud  through  him,  the  deep- 
toned  words 

Leaving  an  impress  of  authority 
To  hold  the  heart  with  true  and  sacred  force. 
He  maketh  heard  the  Prophets'  mighty  call, 
The  thunder  of  their  warning  and  reproach, 


THE  IDEAL  MINISTER  113 

The  bitter  lamentation  for  their  sin, 
The  pleadings  and  the  promises  of  good  ; 
And  in  the  sound,  outpouring  from  his  lips, 
The  Prophet's  spirit  seems  to  burn  again. 
He  reads  the  olden  books  of  Holy  Writ, 
And  telling  of  the  glory  passed  away, 
His  soul  wells  forth  in  song — a  song  so  sweet 
As  though  an  echo  of  the  voice  Divine 
Sang  with  it,  to  inspire  the  hearts  that  heard 
With  hope  of  that  new  glory  yet  to  rise. 
His  lips  are  steeped  in  wisdom  handed  down 
In  golden  links  unbroke  from  sire  to  son, 
Long-treasured  race-traditions,  still  to  live, 
And,  living,  pass  through  ages  yet  unborn. 
So,  with  his  glowing  words  of  metaphor, 
Grows  green  the  old  faith's  beauty;   and   his 

prayers 

Rise  up  as  incense  from  the  shrine. — He  stands 
Before  the  Ark,  and  in  his  hands  he  holds 
A  thousand  prayers,  to  rise  as  one,  and  bear 


ii4  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


A  people's  anguish  to  the  throne  of  God. 
This  is  God's  chosen  Minister ;  this  one 
Shall  lead  his  people  in  the  righteous  way 
Towards  the  triumph. — Yet,  'tis  not  alone 
A  picture  of  the  heart's  desire  for  him, 
A  dream  of  what  a  minister  must  be  ; 
Nay,  for  the  Rabbis  in  their  wisdom  gazed 
On  Rabbi  Isaac,  Immi's  noble  son. 


THE  GIVING  OF  THE  LAW  115 

Ube  (3i\?in0  ot  tbe  Xaw 

FROM  MIDRASH  RABBAH  ON  SHEMOTH 

\17HEN  the  Holy  One  came  to  give  life,  to 

reveal  the  great  light  of  His  Law, 
All  His  wonder  of  worlds  grew  silent  in  sudden, 

unspeakable  awe, 
More  tense  than  the  stillness  ere  dawn  riseth 

up  in  a  burst  of  gold, 
Every  quiver  and   pulse,  every  breath  of  the 

world  caught  fast  in  His  hold. 
No  twitter  of  bird,  no  soaring  of  wings  made 

stir  in  the  air, 
And  the  oxen  that  lowed  from  the  fields  were 

mute  as  if  death  passed  there ; 
And  in  Heaven  the  Ophanim  paused  in  their 

flight  through  the  limitless  space, 
And  the  Seraphim,  singing  Thrice  Holy,  grew 

still  in  their  glorious  place. 


Ii6  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Full  of  the  storm  and  the  swell  of  the  tide,  an 

immovable  sea 
Lay  dumb  with  the  hushing   of    lips,  with   a 

pausing  eternity ; 
Till  the  life-giving  voice  should  thrill,  and  the 

imminent  call  be  heard, 
A  marvel,  absorbing  the  sound  of  all  spheres, 

the  Ineffable  Word; 
Until  God  in  His  wonder  of  worlds,  the  Holy 

One,  blessed  be  He, 
Should  set  His  creation  athrob  with  the  light 

and  the  life  to  be. 
Lo !  who  could  endure  to  stand  on  the  terrible 

day  when  He  came, 
In  a  universe  full  of  His  voice,  grown  thundrous 

with  sound  of  His  Name  ? 
Lo  !    He  struck  the  high  seas  with  terror,  He 

saw  the  mountains  quake, 

And  the  stars  in  His  heaven  paled,  "and  my 
soul  went  forth  when  He  spake." 


THE  GIVING  OF  THE  LA  W  117 

And  from  stars  to  the  shaken  earth  where  the 

trembling  footsteps  trod, 
One  voice  fell — One,   tremendous  :    I  am   the 

Lord  thy  God. 


ii8  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


THE  AGES 

OF 

MAN 


THE  AUTHOR  of  THE  AGES  OF  MAN  is  not  known. 
There  are  several  Hebrew  variants  of  the  poem,  which, 
without  convincing  reason,  has  been  ascribed  to  ABRA- 
HAM IBN  EZRA.  The  present  English  translation  has 
been  made  from  the  text  contained  in  a  manuscript 
brought  by  Mr.  Elkan  N.  Adler  from  the  Cairo  Genizah. 


THE  AGES  OF  MAN  119 


L 


Hoes  ot  flDan 

ET  but  the  son  of  earth 
Remember  from  his  birth 


That  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was. 

So  shall  he  be. 


"Arise  and  prosper,"  say  ye  unto  him 
Of  five  years,  whose  desires  rise  up  apace 
Like  the  awakening  sun  on  regions  dim. 
He  hath  his  mother's  breast  for  resting  place, 

And  moveth  not — 
His  father's  shoulders  for  his  chariot. 


SONGS  OF  EXILE 


(Yet  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be.~) 

How  urge  ye  him  of  ten  years  with  intent 
Toward  instruction  ?   Yet  a  little  space, 
And  he  will  grow  and  find  his  chastisement. 
Speak  unto  him  with  tender  tone  of  grace  : 

Joy  shall  he  rouse 
For  them  that  bare  him,  for  his  father's  house. 

(For  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was. 

So  shall  he  be.~) 

How  sweet  the  days  to  him  of  twenty  years  ! 
Swift  as  a  hart  he  leapeth  to  and  fro 


THE  AGES  OF  MAN 


Over  the  hills  ;  and  scorns  reproof,  nor  hears 
The  voice  of  teachers.     But  a  graceful  doe, 

Goodly  and  fair, 
This  is  the  portion  for  him  and  his  snare. 

(Yet  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be.) 

At  thirty  years  into  a  woman's  hands 
He  falleth  ;  rise  and  look  on  him  and  see ; 
Behold  him  now  caught  fast  within  the  strands ; 
The  arrows  pierce  him  round ;  the  want  shall  be 

Now  of  his  life 
Only  the  wants  of  children  and  of  wife. 

(But  in  the  end 
He  shall  return: 


122  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 
So  shall  he  be.*) 

He  wanders  forth  subdued  who  shall  attain 
To  forty  years  ;  he  runs  his  way  : — behind 
The  light  companions  of  his  youth  remain  ; 
And  evil  be  it  or  sweet,  yet  shall  he  find 

Joy  in  his  lot, 
Firm  by  his  work,  his  charge  forsaking  not. 

(Yet  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be^} 

The  days  of  vanity — days  nothing  worth — 
Remembers  he  of  fifty  years,  and  mourns 
Because  the  days  of  mourning  come  ;  and  earth 
And  all  the  glory  of  the  world  he  scorns, 


THE  AGES  OF  MAN  1*3 

Bearing  the  fear 
Lest  his  own  time  indeed  be  drawing  near. 

(For  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be.) 

Ask  :  what  befalls  when  sixty  years  are  his  ? 
Then  have  his  muscles  grown  like  root  and  bar 
Set  to  his  work — sufficing  but  for  this 
And  rooted  that  they  bend  now  but  so  far ; 

And  never  they 
Shall  move  again  to  rouse  him  for  the  fray. 

(For  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be.) 


124  SOJVGS  OF  EXILE 

If  into  seventy  years  his  life-way  wends, 
His  words  are  heard  no  longer ;  'tis  his  fate 
To  go  unheeded.     Now  upon  his  friends 
Only  a  burden,  he  becomes  a  weight 

On  his  own  soul, 
And  on  the  staff  that  bears  him  to  his  goal. 

{For  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be.} 

At  eighty  years,  then  is  he  but  a  care 
Upon  his  sons ;  his  heart  is  no  more  his, 
Nor  his  thoughts  with  him  ;  only  he  is  there, 
Scorned  of  his  neighbors.    Yea,  his  portion  is 

Gall  to  the  brim, 
And  wormwood  is  the  morsel  now  for  him. 

(For  in  the  end 
He  shall  return: 


THE  AGES  OF  MAN  125 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 
So  shall  he  be.} 

And  after — he  is  even  as  one  dead. 
Happy  the  man  who  deemeth  his  own  part 
That  of  a  stranger  who  is  quickly  fled  : 
Who  hath  no  contemplation  in  his  heart 

Nor  thought  nor  sense 
But  his  soul's  after-life  and  recompense. 

(For  in  the  end 

He  shall  return: 

As  at  his  birth  he  was, 

So  shall  he  be.) 


ia6  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

THE  SONG 

OF 

CHESS 

THE  SONG  OF  CHESS  is  attributed  to  ABRAHAM  IBN 
EZRA  (1093-1167),  who  worked,  as  philosopher,  poet,  and 
mathematician,  in  Italy,  France,  and  England.  About 
one  hundred  and  fifty  of  his  sacred  poems  are  known. 

Line  21,  "foot-soldier"  is  the  pawn. 

Line  35,  "Elephant"  is  the  bishop. 

Line  40,  "  Horse  "  is  the  knight. 

Line  44,  "  Wind  "  is  the  rook. 

Although  this  poem  bears  evidence  that  the  moves  in 
chess  have  not  changed,  there  are  one  or  two  variations 
of  another  kind  worth  noticing.  The  Indian  chessmen 
have  an  Elephant  to  represent  the  Castle,  or  Rook,  but  it 
is  clear  that  the  author  of  this  poem  followed  the  Arabic 
designation,  as  he  makes  the  Bishop  the  Elephant,  or 
Vfl,  which  the  Arabs  called  "Al  fil "  (see  Encycl.  Brit., 
vol.  5,  p.  599).  It  is  remarkable  that  the  word  Rook, 
from  the  Indian  "  Roch,"  a  "war-chariot,"  is  generally 
written  by  Hebrew  writers  pn,  but  the  author  of  this 
poem  employs  the  word  nn.  He  may  have  used  the 
word  "  wind  "  metaphorically  as  a  war-chariot. 


THE  SONG  OF  CHESS  197 


TTbe  Song  of  Cbess 

T  WILL  sing  a  song  of  battle 

Planned  in  days  long  passed  and  over. 
Men  of  skill  and  science  set  it 
On  a  plain  of  eight  divisions, 
And  designed  in  squares  all  chequered. 
Two  camps  face  each  one  the  other, 
And  the  kings  stand  by  for  battle, 
And  twixt  these  two  is  the  fighting. 
Bent  on  war  the  face  of  each  is, 
Ever  moving  or  encamping, 
Yet  no  swords  are  drawn  in  warfare, 
For  a  war  of  thoughts  their  war  is. 
They  are  known  by  signs  and  tokens 
Sealed  and  written  on  their  bodies ; 
And  a  man  who  sees  them,  thinketh, 
Edomites  and  Ethiopians 


ia8  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

Are  these  two  that  fight  together. 
And  the  Ethiopian  forces 
Overspread  the  field  of  battle, 
And  the  Edomites  pursue  them. 


First  in  battle  the  foot-soldier 
Comes  to  fight  upon  the  highway, 
Ever  marching  straight  before  him, 
But  to  capture  moving  sideways, 
Straying  not  from  off  his  pathway, 
Neither  do  his  steps  go  backwards  ; 
He  may  leap  at  the  beginning 
Anywhere  within  three  chequers. 
Should  he  take  his  steps  in  battle 
Far  away  unto  the  eighth  row, 
Then  a  Queen  to  all  appearance 
He  becomes  and  fights  as  she  does. 
And  the  Queen  directs  her  moving 
As  she  will  to  any  quarter. 


THE  SONG  OF  CHESS  129 

Backs  the  Elephant  or  advances, 
Stands  aside  as  'twere  an  ambush  ; 
As  the  Queen's  way,  so  is  his  way, 
But  o'er  him  she  hath  advantage, 
He  stands  only  in  the  third  rank. 
Swift  the  Horse  is  in  the  battle, 
Moving  on  a  crooked  pathway  ; 
Ways  of  his  are  ever  crooked ; 
Mid  the  Squares,  three  form  his  limit. 


Straight  the  Wind  moves  o'er  the  war-path 
In  the  field  across  or  lengthwise  ; 
Ways  of  crookedness  he  seeks  not, 
But  straight  paths  without  perverseness. 
Turning  every  way  the  King  goes, 
Giving  aid  unto  his  subjects ; 
In  his  actions  he  is  cautious, 
Whether  fighting  or  encamping. 
If  his  foe  come  to  dismay  him, 


130  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

From  his  place  he  flees  in  terror, 
Or  the  Wind  can  give  him  refuge. 
Sometimes  he  must  flee  before  him ; 
Multitudes  at  times  support  him  ; 
And  all  slaughter  each  the  other, 
Wasting  with  great  wrath  each  other. 
Mighty  men  of  both  the  sovereigns 
Slaughtered  fall,  with  yet  no  bloodshed. 
Ethiopia  sometimes  triumphs, 
Edom  flees  away  before  her ; 
Now  victorious  is  Edom  : 
Ethiopia  and  her  sovereign 
Are  defeated  in  the  battle. 


Should  a  King  in  the  destruction 
Fall  within  the  foeman's  power, 
He  is  never  granted  mercy, 
Neither  refuge  nor  deliv'rance, 
Nor  a  flight  to  refuge-city. 


THE  SONG  OF  CHESS  131 

Judged  by  foes,  and  lacking  rescue, 
Though  not  slain  he  is  checkmated. 
Hosts  about  him  all  are  slaughtered, 
Giving  life  for  his  deliverance. 
Quenched  and  vanished  is  their  glory, 
For  they  see  their  lord  is  smitten  ; 
Yet  they  fight  again  this  battle, 
For  in  death  is  resurrection. 


i32  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


SKETCH 
OK  THE 
GAME  OF  CHESS 


THE  DATE  of  this  composition  is  given  variously :  the 
twelfth  century  or,  according  to  Steinschneider,  the  four- 
teenth or  fifteenth.  The  remarkable  feature  is  that  the 
game  is  mainly  described  by  a  combination  and  adapta- 
tion of  Biblical  texts. 

Paragraph  9.  In  the  thirteenth  century  the  Alfyn  had 
the  diagonal  move  of  our  Bishop,  restricted  in  its  range 
of  action  to  the  third  square  from  which  it  stood.  (From 
the  Chess  Players  Chronicle,  vol.  iii,  p.  63.)  Stein- 
schneider's  date  would  appear  to  be  in  conflict  with  this 
fact. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  GAME  OF  CHESS          133 

Sftetcb  of  tbe  Game  of  dbess 

BY  BON  SENIOR  ABN  YACHIA 

T  N  the  beginning  of  the  reign,  the  armies  stand 
before  thee. 

Thine  eyes  shall  see  the  King  in  his  glory. 
Behold,  he  standeth  at  the  head  of  all  his  hosts ; 
he  shall  cry,  yea,  he  shall  shout  aloud;  he 
shall  do  mightily  against  his  enemies.  By  the 
strength  of  his  hand  and  in  his  power,  he  is 
established  in  his  stronghold,  the  fourth  post, 
which  is  his  place  of  encampment  in  the  begin- 
ning of  his  reign. 

The  Queen  doth  stand  at  his  right  hand ;  he 
looketh  upon  her  with  favor. 

Nigh  unto  them  are  two  Horsemen  mounted 
upon  fed  horses ;  at  their  right  and  at  their  left 
is  an  Elephant,  and  a  War-car  on  either  side. 


134  SOWGS  OF  EXILE 

These  are  the  generals  and  officers,  such  as 
have  ability  to  stand.  Facing  these  in  full 
array,  stand  two  opposing  lines  of  warriors. 

The  same  are  the  mighty  men  which  were 
of  old.  Such  are  their  positions,  and  the  stand- 
ards of  their  camps,  according  to  their  families, 
according  to  their  fathers'  houses. 

Come,  let  us  take  our  fill  of  love,  and  I  will 
give  thee  a  place  of  access  between  these  that 
stand  by.  I  will  display  before  thee  the  march- 
ings and  counter-marchings  of  this  army,  and  I 
will  explain  in  lucid  words  how  the  battle  is 
turned  back  at  the  gate. 

When  the  King  marcheth  from  place  to  place 
in  his  dominion,  there  is  but  one  law  for  him, 
whether  his  course  be  flank-wise  or  straight ; 
all  that  he  desiretli  he  doeth  ;  but  his  heart  is 
not  ambitious  to  extend  his  range  in  battle,  lest 
he  should  die  in  the  war. 

The  Elephants  advance  three  paces  without 


SKETCH  OF  THE  GAME  OF  CHESS         135 

divergence,  in  oblique  direction,  bent  in  their 
path  on  victory,  and  they  turn  not  aside.  Behold 
them  tramping  forth,  and  whither  they  go,  they 
work  utter  desolation. 

And  the  Horsemen  set  themselves  in  array 
at  the  gate.  Each  hath  his  sword  girt  at  his 
side.  The  glory  of  the  snorting  is  terrible. 
They  pace  one  stage  straight  across  the  field, 
and  take  another  step  in  an  oblique  direction, 
before  they  halt  in  face  of  the  enemy. 

Before  the  War-cars  lies  but  a  straight  path, 
their  movement  being  the  same  on  their  four 
sides.  They  turn  not  when  they  go.  They 
march  along  the  whole  length  of  the  path  which 
is  before  them.  If  they  prevail  by  strength, 
none  assaileth  them ;  but  should  the  commanders 
or  servants  of  the  hostile  King  stand  before 
them,  gone  is  their  power  to  pass.  Nor  by 
their  multitude,  nor  by  their  wealth  can  they 
deviate  from  the  course  already  taken.  Notwith- 


136  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

standing  the  great  strength  of  this  officer,  one 
of  the  lowest  rank  of  the  enemy  may  suddenly 
capture  him,  when  he  deemeth  himself  in  a 
place  of  safety. 

When  the  war  rageth,  the  King  avoideth 
standing  at  the  extremity  of  the  battle-field,  far 
from  his  troops ;  and  thither  he  attempteth  not 
to  go,  nor  is  he  seen  there,  nor  found  there,  un- 
less one  of  his  warriors  stand  before  him,  as  a 
shield  and  as  a  safeguard  to  conceal  his  person 
from  all  men.  If  he  arise  again  and  walk  abroad 
upon  his  staff,  after  he  hath  been  seen,  he 
waxeth  in  his  wrath ;  he  goeth  and  hideth  him- 
self behind  a  wall  or  fortress,  and  he  fleeth  and 
escapeth  from  the  battle. 

Behold,  I  have  laid  before  thee  goodly  words, 
to  teach  thee  to  obey  the  King's  commands  and 
his  decree  whithersoever  they  may  reach  thee. 
And  concerning  these  men  who  draw  near,  have 
I  not  written  unto  thee  excellent  things?  I 


SKETCH  OF  THE  GAME  OF  CHESS          137 

have  shown  thee  the  laws  of  the  contest,  its 
genius,  and  its  principles,  and  every  sign ;  and 
there  lacketh  not  one  about  whom  I  have  not 
written. 

Excepting  that  we  have  not  yet  spoken  of  the 
woman.  She  sitteth  at  the  top  of  the  high 
places  by  the  city.  She  is  clamorous  and  wilful 
in  her  way.  She  girdeth  her  loins  with 
strength.  Her  feet  abide  not  in  her  house. 
She  moveth  in  all  directions,  and  turneth  about 
her.  Her  evolutions  are  wonderful,  her  ardor 
untiring.  How  beautiful  are  her  steps  across 
the  plain ! 

And  the  King,  clad  in  black  garments,  stand- 
eth  at  the  fourth  post,  which  is  white,  over 
against  the  next  post,  which  is  black,  where 
standeth  his  Queen.  He  draweth  nigh  unto  the 
thick  darkness.  His  eye  is  upon  her,  for  he 
hath  married  an  Ethiopian  woman.  They  shall 
come  out  against  thee  one  way,  with  one  move- 


138  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

ment  and  one  journey.  If  they  be  not  cautious, 
as  the  one  dieth,  so  dieth  the  other. 

But  the  black  King  is  strong  when  there 
standeth  before  him  a  great  and  numerous  and 
powerful  people,  serving  him  in  the  field  of 
battle  as  a  strong  army.  For  they  dare  advance 
and  bravely  leap  from  place  to  place.  Their 
feet  are  straight  feet,  but  if  it  be  their  will  to 
capture  prisoners  or  spoil,  they  may  diverge  to 
either  flank.  One  of  them  may  gain  power 
and  increase  in  strength.  Should  he  reach  the 
haven  of  his  desire,  lo !  he  skippeth  as  a  hart ! 
Then  is  he  swifter  than  the  eagles  of  heaven,  he 
hasteneth  his  steps,  and  doeth  that  in  which  his 
soul  delighteth,  even  all  that  the  woman  doeth. 

And  now  the  two  Kings  intrigue  against  each 
other,  and  pursue  each  other  unto  the  death. 
One  is  embarrassed  in  the  fight ;  and  when  he 
resteth  in  his  place,  an  officer  of  the  enemy  may 
command  him  to  go  forth  from  his  boundary, 


SKETCH  OF  THE  GAME  OF  CHESS          139 

lest  he  should  smite  him  with  destruction.  He 
may  retreat  in  any  direction  ;  but  if  in  striving 
to  escape  his  feet  be  caught  in  the  snare  set  by 
the  warriors  that  surround  him,  then  is  his  glory 
turned  unto  destruction.  Ah,  lord  !  ah,  for  his 
glory  !  And  his  people  who  are  left  after  him 
are  as  nothing ;  for  of  what  account  are  they  ? 
In  one  moment  the  mighty  men  are  subdued, 
and  the  commander  is  brought  low,  he  is  thrust 
out,  he  boweth  down,  and  he  falleth.  The  King 
who  hath  striven  against  him  bringeth  him 
down  from  his  greatness,  until  not  a  remnant  is 
left  unto  him.  Then  is  he  overthrown  and  cut  off 
from  his  position  and  honor.  How  can  one  pur- 
sue a  thousand  !  That  one  is  left  in  glory  and 
majesty,  and  the  other  dieth  in  bitterness  of  soul. 
Thus  shall  perish  all  the  enemies  of  the  King, 
and  they  that  seek  his  evil ;  but  they  that  love 
him  shall  be  as  the  sun  when  he  goeth  forth  in 
his  glory. 


140  SONGS  OF  EXILE 


POEM 

ON  CHESS 


This  POEM  ON  CHESS  is  by  an  anonymous  author. 
The  manuscript  is  to  be  found  in  the  Vatican.  The  date 
assigned  to  it  by  Steinschneider  is  the  fifteenth  or  six- 
teenth century,  but  it  is  probably  earlier. 


POEM  ON  CHESS  141 


IPoem  on  Cbess 

'"THE  Kings  have  met  on  the  battle  plain, 

And  war  upriseth  betwixt  the  twain. 
Alike  in  number  is  either  band, 
And  face  to  face  do  the  armies  stand. 
Devoid  of  sword  and  of  spear  their  strife  ; 
Within  their  mouths  is  no  breath  of  life. 
In  crafty  guise  is  their  battle  fought ; 
With  cunning  art  is  their  contest  wrought. 
When  these  prevail  o'er  their  foemen  all, 
Behold,  'tis  then  that  the  dead  men  fall. 
Yet  they  from  death  may  arise  again, 
And  cast  their  enemies  'mid  the  slain. 
Their  halt  and  marching  will  I  relate, 
Each  one  in  order  of  rank  and  state. — 
The  King,  he  standeth  beside  the  Queen  ; 
Horses  and  Elephants  nigh  are  seen. 
There  stand  two  chariots  likewise  here ; 


142  SONGS  OF  EXILE 

And  facing,  warriors,  each  his  peer. 
The  King  and  Queen  o'er  two  paces  range ; 
Yet  are  their  movements  diverse  and  strange. 
Three  steps  the  Elephants,  never  more  ; 
The  Horses  turn  to  their  quarters  four  ; 
And  straight  the  Chariots  forward  fly, 
Sideways  and  backward  the  foe  defy. 
In  craft  each  warrior's  bow  is  bent  : 
Vanquished  by  science,  the  foe  is  spent. 
In  ancient  lore  are  their  ways  oft  told  : 
Behold  them  writ  in  the  books  of  old. 


THE  DEA  TH  OF  MOSES  143 

tTbc  E>eatb  of  tmeses 

FROM  MIDRASH  TANCHUMA 

IN  the  hour  when  the  Holy  One,  blessed  be 
He,  said  unto  Moses  :  "  Get  thee  up  into  this 
mountain  ....  and  die," — "  Now,"  thought 
the  Angel  of  Death,  "  hath  the  Holy  One  given 
me  dominion  over  the  soul  of  Moses."  And  he 
appeared  and  stood  before  him. 

Then  spake  Moses :  "  The  Holy  One,  blessed 
be  He,  hath  promised  me  that  He  will  not  give 
me  over  into  thine  hand." 

And  the  Angel  answered :  "  The  Holy  One, 
blessed  be  He,  hath  sent  me  unto  thee;  for  thou 
shalt  pass  away  this  day." 

Then  said  Moses  unto  him  :  "  Get  thee  hence ; 
for  I  seek  to  extol  the  Holy  One.  '  I  shall  not 
die,  but  live,  and  declare  the  works  of  the 
Lord.' " 

"Why  vaunt    thyself?"    spake    the   Angel, 


144  SOJVGS  OF  EXILE 

"There  be  others  to  sing  His  praises.  Lo! 
'the  Heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God.'  ' 

And  Moses  said :  "  The  Heavens  are  still 
when  I  extol  Him,  as  it  is  written  :  '  Give  ear, 
ye  Heavens,  and  I  will  speak.' ' 

The  Angel  of  Death  again  approached  unto 
him.  Moses  pronounced  the  tremendous  Name, 
and  the  Angel  fled ;  as  it  is  said  :  "  For  I  will 
proclaim  the  Name  of  the  Lord." 

Once  more  the  Angel  of  Death  drew  nigh. 
Then  thought  Moses :  "  It  may  be  that  he  cometh 
bid  by  Heaven,  and  that  I  must  bow  before  the 
just  decree.  'The  Rock,  His  work  is  perfect.'  " 

The  soul  of  Moses  wrestled  to  go  forth  ;  and 
he  restrained  her,  saying :  "  O  my  soul !  what 
sayest  thou  ?  For  the  Angel  of  Death  seeketh 
to  gain  dominion  over  thee." 

She  spake :  "  It  cannot  be.  For  the  Holy 
One,  blessed  be  He,  hath  promised  me  that  He 
will  not  give  me  over  into  his  hand." 


THE  DEA  TH  OF  MOSES  145 

"Nay,  but  thou  sayest  thou  hast  seen  the 
people  weeping,  and  thou  didst  weep  with 
them." 

She  said :  "  Thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from 
death,  mine  eyes  from  tears — " 

"  But  thou  fearest  to  be  thrust  into  the  grave." 

She  said  :  "and  my  feet  from  falling." 

And  of  his  soul  he  asked :  "  Whither  wilt  thou 
take  thy  flight  in  realms  unknown?" 

She  answered  :  "  I  shall  walk  before  the  Lord 
in  the  land  of  the  living." 

When  Moses  heard  these  words,  he  said  unto 
her :  "  '  Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul ;  for 
the  Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee.'  " 

As  he  passed  away,  a  voice  went  up  from 
earth :  "  Moses  commanded  us  a  Law,  an  in- 
heritance for  the  assembly  of  Jacob." 

And  the  Heavens  answered :  "  He  executed 
the  justice  of  the  Lord,  and  His  judgments  with 
Israel." 


146  SONGS  Of  EXILE 

Yea,  the  Holy  One,  blessed  be  He,  Himself 
in  His  glory  proclaimed  his  praise:  "And  there 
hath  not  arisen  a  prophet  since  in  Israel  like 
unto  Moses." 


n'noi  )nj 


DATE  DUE 


GAYLORD 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A    001  413938    o 


